High Energy Laser Development
This program is part of an overall Department of War strategy in Joint directed energy applied research. Efforts within will focus on the advanced technologies necessary to increase lethality, expand the mission set, and counter future adversaries. Advancements are essential to improve the performance of existing and new directed energy weapon systems. This builds upon other investments in directed energy applied research by the Services and Agencies and eliminates duplication. This work is executed via technical program managers within the Directed Energy Technology Development Program, which enables (1) applied research in high energy laser and high power microwave technologies that support eventual system-level integration and (2) proof of concept tech demonstrations in a laboratory environment with Joint-international participation.
FY2025 accomplishments - Modernize antenna designs with an emphasis on bandwidth agility throughput. Transition government-laboratory research efforts in pulsed power to industry. Decrease the size, weight, and power requirements for future high power microwave weapon systems and increase the vendor base for these critical technologies. -Conduct trade studies to determine the most effective directed energy weapon system parameters. Collaborate with the national and international directed-energy community on progress in the development and FY 2024 Plans. - Conduct analyses and trades studies to determine the most effective laser and microwave source parameters. Collaborate with the national and international…
High Energy Laser Technology: Efforts will continue the development of technologies that improve component-level performance and enable fieldable directed energy systems. Some of these include: cameras, illuminators, fast-steering mirrors, deformable mirrors, and high-power coatings necessary for advanced prototypes. Continue leveraging…
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