Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems

Mission — Directed Energy and Electric Weapon System source

This program element will transition Directed Energy and Electric Weapon Systems (DE&EWS) technology from Science and Technology (S&T) research to the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase, ultimately leading to acquisition initiation for the Surface/Subsurface Navy. DE&EWS consists of multiple breakthrough technologies including: laser weapons that provide for speed-of-light engagements at tactically significant ranges resulting in savings realized by minimizing the use of defensive missiles and projectiles; electromagnetic launch of projectiles that will significantly increase firing ranges imposing greater cost to adversaries of ballistic and air defense missile engagements; enhance the land attack mission; and fielding of high power radio frequency systems for non-kinetic electronic attack and active denial technology, allowing for non-lethal determination of threat intent beyond small arms fire ranges. Development of DE&EWS includes: Weapons Grade High Energy Lasers, Electromagnetic Railgun (EMRG) Weapon Systems, High Power Radio Frequency Weapon/Sensor Systems, and other systems/capabilities. Project 2731 - High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project (HELCAP): Defeating Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs) with a laser weapon system presents several technical challenges (e.g. high atmospheric turbulence, target acquisition and identification, target tracking, aim point maintenance, automatic aim point placement, jitter control). The High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project (HELCAP) will assess, develop, experiment, and demonstrate the various laser weapon system technologies and methods of implementation (e.g. laser sources, mission analysis, lethality, advanced beam control with atmospheric mitigation, target and tracking sensors, control systems) required to defeat ASCMs in a crossing engagement. Project 3402 - Surface Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS): Program supports the National Defense Strategy (NDS) of building a more lethal force by leveraging maturing technology to deliver proven laser weapon capability to the Fleet as part of the Navy Laser Family of Systems (NLFoS) initiative with the objective of providing the fleet with incrementally developed laser weapon system capabilities. Additionally, accelerated learning through incorporation of laser weapon Concept of Operations (CONOPs), employment and maintenance validates warfighting requirements for laser weapon systems to address a variety of threats. The High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system provides a low cost-per-shot capability to address Anti-Surface Warfare and Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C-ISR) gaps with the ability to dazzle and destroy Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and defeat Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) while integrated into the AEGIS Combat System on a Flt IIA Destroyer. SNLWS, as a Non-Program of Record (POR) provided an industry-developed and government integrated capability to the Fleet in as short a timeframe as possible, thereby addressing the NDS direction to foster a culture of innovation. SNLWS included the development of a laser weapon system in the 60 kW class. SNLWS leveraged technology available at that time to deliver an initial laser weapon system capability to the Fleet. Mk 5 Mod 0 HELIOS development leveraged the previous AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System (LaWS) and the Mk 2 Mod 0 Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) efforts. Project 5898 - Directed Energy Components for High Energy Lasers: Supports Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program efforts for the improvement of the production capability of the industrial base in order to produce Laser Weapon Beam Director (LWBD) components and sub-systems; reduces production lead times of Laser Weapon System Optics; improves quality and reduces production times of Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) and deformable mirrors. Project 5898 funding completes in FY24. Project 9823 - Lasers for Navy Applications: Optical Dazzler Interdictor Navy (ODIN) development provided directed energy, shipboard Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C-ISR) capabilities to the Fleet to dazzle Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and other platforms that address the Urgent Operational Needs (UONs) statement provided by the Fleet. ODIN, as a non-Program of Record, was developed and fielded with RDT&E,N funding and was initially envisioned as a Non-Permanent Change (NPC). FY 2018 was the first year of funding which supported the design, development, procurement, and installation of 8 ODIN standalone units deployed on DDG 51 Flt IIA surface combatants. Eight (8) ODIN units are now operational in the Fleet. Project 9823 R&D funding converted to OPN in FY25 & FY26 and O&MN FY24-FY 26 for the sustainment of 8 ODIN units. Project 9999 (PU C357) - Congressional Add - 100kW Directed Energy Production is a Congressionally directed effort to advance the manufacturing readiness of 'weapon grade' subsystems for 100kW class High Energy Lasers (HELs) including the Main Optical Bench (MOB) for beam combining and beam control. Additionally, these funds will support Navy plans to develop and refine weapon integration processes and system performance qualification and evaluation. In order to expand mass production of weapon grade Laser Fiber Amplifiers (LFAs), manufacturing processes currently utilized need refinement and improvement. This will result in higher production capabilities at a reduced cost per LFA for the United States (US) Government.

Mission — High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project (HELCAP) source

The High Energy Laser Counter-ASCM Project (HELCAP) will accelerate the integration of High Energy Laser (HEL) technologies and prototype HEL weapon systems through demonstrations of critical technologies integral to defeating Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) targets with non-kinetic weapon systems. HELCAP has developed a High Energy Laser (HEL) source capable of ASCM defeat while also enabling target acquisition, identification, and atmospheric correction abilities through advanced beam control subsystem maturation. The Directed Energy Testing Against Missiles (DETAM) effort will utilize the Laser Weapon Testbed (LWT) and other Directed Energy (DE) assets to initiate a Test & Evaluation (T&E) campaign focused on transitioning Naval HEL technologies to operational use by evaluating them in a realistic operating environment. DETAM will promote advanced laser component development while testing prototype weapon systems against surrogate ASCMs and advanced operational threats to ensure rapid integration of HEL weapon systems with the Naval Fleet.

Mission — Surface Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS) source

Project 3402 - Surface Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS): Program supports the National Defense Strategy (NDS) of building a more lethal force by leveraging maturing technology to deliver proven laser weapon capability to the Fleet as part of the Navy Laser Family of Systems (NLFoS) initiative with the objective of providing the fleet with incrementally developed laser weapon system capabilities. Additionally, accelerated learning through incorporation of laser weapon Concept of Operations (CONOPs), employment and maintenance validates warfighting requirements for laser weapon systems to address a variety of threats. The High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance (HELIOS) system provides a low cost-per-shot capability to address Anti-Surface Warfare and Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C-ISR) gaps with the ability to dazzle and destroy Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and defeat Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) while integrated into the AEGIS Combat System on a Flt IIA Destroyer. SNLWS, a Non-Program of Record (POR), provided an industry-developed and government integrated capability to the Fleet in as short a timeframe as possible, thereby addressing the NDS direction to foster a culture of innovation. SNLWS included the development of a laser weapon system in the 60 kW class. SNLWS leveraged technology available at that time to deliver an initial laser weapon system capability to the Fleet. Mk 5 Mod 0 HELIOS development leveraged the previous AN/SEQ-3 Laser Weapon System (LaWS) and the Mk 2 Mod 0 Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) efforts.

Mission — Directed Energy Components for High Energy Lasers source

Project 5898 - Directed Energy Components for High Energy Lasers: Supports Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program efforts for the improvement of the production capability of the industrial base in order to produce Laser Weapon Beam Director (LWBD) components and sub-systems; reduce production lead times of Laser Weapon System Optics; improve quality and reduce production times of Fast Steering Mirror (FSM) and deformable mirrors. Project 5898 funding completes in FY24.

Mission — Lasers for Navy applicat source

Project 9823 - Lasers for Navy Applications: Optical Dazzler Interdictor Navy (ODIN) development provides directed energy, shipboard Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C-ISR) capabilities to the Fleet to dazzle Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and other platforms that address the Urgent Operational Needs (UONs) statement provided by the Fleet. ODIN, as a non-Program of Record, was developed and fielded with RDT&E,N funding and was initially envisioned as a Non-Permanent Change (NPC). FY 2018 was the first year of funding which supported the design, development, procurement, and installation of 8 ODIN standalone units deployed on DDG 51 Flt IIA surface combatants. Eight (8) ODIN units are now operational in the Fleet. Project 9823 R&D funding converted to OPN in FY25 & FY26 and O&MN FY24 - FY26 for the sustainment of 8 ODIN units.

Mission — Congressional Adds source

Project 9999 (PU C357) - Congressional Add - 100kW Directed Energy Production is a Congressionally directed effort to advance the manufacturing readiness of 'weapon grade' subsystems for 100kW class High Energy Lasers (HELs) including the Main Optical Bench (MOB) for beam combining and beam control. Additionally, these funds will support Navy plans to develop and refine weapon integration processes and system performance qualification and evaluation. In order to expand mass production of weapon grade Laser Fiber Amplifiers (LFAs), manufacturing processes currently utilized need refinement and improvement. This will result in higher production capabilities at a reduced cost per LFA for the United States (US) Government.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)