Directed Energy and Electric Weapon System

Abstract

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 consist 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 3370 - Railgun: EMRG provides ship-based program/technical development to produce a standard railgun/mount for use onboard Navy warships. Railgun provides increased capability for the following mission sets: Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), Fast Attack Craft and Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FAC/FIAC), and future potential for Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW). EMRG uses electromagnetic energy, vice traditional chemical propellant (i.e. gun powder), to launch projectiles providing: greatly increased range (110+nm vice 13nm for current 5" chemical propellant [gunpowder] guns); increased ammunition storage capacity; increased ship safety; increased layered point defense; and decreased costs when compared to current weapons. The net effect is an increased capacity against multiple simultaneous threats at a lower operational cost to offset a potential adversary's asymmetric missile strategy. The EMRG will launch the Hyper Velocity Projectile (HVP). Project 3402 - Surface Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS): SNLWS funding was provided for the expedited development and fielding of the SNLWS system to Naval Forces. SNLWS includes the development of advanced prototype laser weapon systems in the 60 kW or higher class. SNLWS leverages mature technology to deliver a proven laser weapon capability to the Fleet. SNLWS development leverages the Office of Naval Research (ONR) efforts on the Solid State Laser (SSL) Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) and Solid State Laser (SSL) Technology Maturation (TM) efforts. SNLWS provides a capability to address existing Anti-Surface Warfare, Integrated Air and Missile Defense and Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C-ISR) Gaps with the ability to dazzle and destroy Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC). The funding in PB19 was increased in order to procure two (2) additional SNLWS units for two DDG 51 class ship installations and was based on a certified NAVSEA cost estimate that more accurately predicts actual program costs. This increase provides the requisite level of funding for the system engineering and combat system integration, threat analysis, ship installation/integration/planning/drawings/scheduling, test planning, and maintenance/sustainment engineering/planning for the first two SNLWS units. FY18 efforts are focused on program and system requirements definition, contract proposal development and evaluation, and contract award which will allow procurement of long lead material to maintain the schedule for delivery of the initial SNLWS units. Project 9823 - Lasers for Navy Applications: Low Power Module (LPM) development will provide near-term, directed energy, shipboard Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C-ISR) capabilities to dazzle Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and other platforms that will address urgent operational needs of the Fleet. FY18 is the first year of funding that will support the design, development and procurement of eight standalone units over the FYDP, for deployment on DDG 51 surface combatants. The program will support the non-recurring engineering, development, procurement of long lead material, assembly and checkout, system certification, and platform integration/installation for these eight standalone units.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2019
Source ID
0603925N_4_1319_PB_2019
Change Summary Explanation
The FY19 funding increase in the amount of +$105.437 million reflects the following: +$109 million Project 3402 - PB19 funding was based on a certified NAVSEA cost estimate that more accurately predicts actual program costs and procures two additional shipboard prototype systems. This increase fully funds SNLWS to the February 2017 cost estimate. -$3.563 million miscellaneous rate adjustments.
Service Agency Name
Navy

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Contract Proposals
  • Control Systems
  • Cost Analysis
  • Cost Estimates
  • Directed Energy Weapons
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Fire Control Systems
  • Hypervelocity Projectiles
  • Laser Weapons
  • Procurement
  • Product Development
  • Projectiles
  • Software Development
  • Systems Engineering
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Weapon Control
  • Weapon Systems

Readers

  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics

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