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 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. FY2021 funding will provide for systems engineering, mission analysis, and the design completion, fabrication, and integration of major components of a HELCAP prototype system. Planning and preparations for FY2022-FY2023 system experimentation and demonstrations utilizing the prototype system will also continue. Project 3402 - The Surface Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS) program supports the National Defense Strategy of building a more lethal force by leveraging mature 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 near-term laser weapon capabilities. Additionally, accelerated learning through incorporation of laser weapon Concept of Operations (CONOPs), employment, and maintenance will enable the rapid development and integration of these capabilities with the Navys existing weapon systems. This NLFoS initiative will also develop and validate warfighting requirements for laser weapons to address a variety of threats and to mature technologies and system integration readiness. HELIOS 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 provides industry-developed and government integrated capability to the Fleet in as short a timeframe as possible, thereby addressing the National Defense Strategy direction to foster a culture of innovation. SNLWS includes the development of a laser weapon system in the 60 kW or higher class. Competition was utilized for system development and production efforts. SNLWS leverages mature technology that will deliver a mature laser weapon system capability to the Fleet. SNLWS development leverages the Laser Weapon System (LaWS)/Solid State Laser Quick Reaction Capability (SSL QRC) and Solid State Laser Technology Maturation (SSL TM)/Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) efforts. The FY 2021 funding supports completion of the system build, review and delivery of the Technical Data Package, logistics support material and training, and Packaging, Handling, Storage and Transportation (PHS&T) of one system for conduct of land based testing and subsequent delivery pier side for shipboard installation in a DDG 51 Flt IIA ship during AEGIS Modernization, and conduct of System Operational Verification Testing (SOVT). Project 9823 - Lasers for Navy Applications: Optical Dazzling Interceptor Navy (ODIN) development provides near-term, directed energy, shipboard Counter-Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C-ISR) capabilities to dazzle Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) and other platforms that address urgent operational needs of the Fleet. FY 2018 was the first year of funding which supports the design, development, procurement and installation of 8 ODIN standalone units over the FYDP, for deployment on DDG 51 Flt IIA surface combatants. The program supports the non-recurring engineering, development, procurement of long lead material, assembly and checkout, system certification, platform integration/installation and sustainment for these ODIN standalone units. The FY 2021 funding completes procurement, assembly, checkout, integration, T&E and installation of Units 4 and 5; continues procurement, assembly, checkout, integration and T&E of Units 6, 7 and 8; and provides Operation & Sustainment (O&S) of Units 1-5. It should be noted that in order to fully fund the procurement, assembly, checkout, integration, T&E, installation and sustainment of 8 units, a FY 2020 $9.975 million Below Threshold Reprogramming (BTR) is required. Project 9999 (PU C440/C547) - Congressional Adds - Railgun Program: Congress added funding in FY2019 and FY2020 for ship-based program/technical development and ship integration related risk reduction. Electromagnetic 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). This funding supports the testing and refinement of pulse current transfer, mount, and hypervelocity projectile component development. In addition, this project supports the continuing effort to define and evolve requirements related to mount and platform interface management and maturations of specifications for tactical railgun weapon system. Project 9999 (PU C453) - Congressional Add - Surface Navy Laser Weapon System (SNLWS) Program Re-phasing: Congress added funding in FY 2019 for re-phasing of the SNLWS development and fielding effort. This funding supports procurement of HELIOS long lead materials in FY 2019 related to early award of the contract to Lockheed Martin Aculight. Project 9999 (PU C516) - Congressional Add - High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapon System for Counter-Unmanned Ariel System (C-UAS) Area defense is a Congressionally directed effort to develop/build a minimized footprint, laser-agonistic beam director and beam control system (M-BD/BCS) to support Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) lasers >10KW for possible application to Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) sized vehicles. FY2020 funding will provide for systems engineering, design, and fabrication of this M-BD/BCS.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2021
• Source ID: 0603925N_4_1319_PB_2021
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY 2019 net funding decrease in the amount of $3.826 million consists of a $3.530 million SBIR/STTR/FTT Assessment; and a $.296 million Below Threshold Reprogramming (BTR) required to cover higher priority requirements. The FY20 net funding increase in the amount of $17.75 million consists of a Congressional Directed Reduction against HELCAP in the amount of $2.25 million and two Congressional Adds: $10 million for the Electromagnetic Rail Gun Program and $10 million for the HEL Weapon System for C-UAS. FY20 Schedule change for SNLWS: FQT shifted left; from early FY21 to late FY20 on the schedule. FY21 Program Adjustments of $47.942 million accounts for an $18.957 million increase for the High Energy Laser Counter ASCM Project (HELCAP) PU 2731 to procure and integrate all major elements of a prototype system to address laser technology for ACSM threats; and a $28.95 million increase for Lasers for Navy Applications PU 9823 in support of the procurement, assembly, checkout, integration, T&E, installation and sustainment of 8 units as a result of realized cost growth; and a $.035 million rate adjustment. 9823 Lasers for Navy Applications - Program change rationale - A Program Adjustment in the amount of $28.95 million in FY21 and $3.5 million in FY22 was provided to Lasers for Navy Applications PU 9823 in support of the procurement, assembly, checkout, integration, T&E, installation and sustainment of 8 units as a result of realized cost growth. It should be noted that in order to fully fund the procurement, assembly, checkout, integration, T&E, installation and sustainment of 8 units, a FY 2020 $9.975 million Below Threshold Reprogramming (BTR) is required. Product Development: The cost savings originally estimated from production of multiple units by government vice industry have not been realized. The FY 2020 President's Budget request cost per ODIN system (material only) was estimated at approximately $3.63M (8 units = $29M); DON 21 cost per unit (material only) was realized at approximately $5.18M (6 units = $31.1M). - ODIN is the first of its kind laser system. Non-recurring engineering (NRE) costs increased significantly due to new technology development efforts required for the following system components: lasers, fast steering mirrors, line replaceable units, control software, telescopes with mounted optics, and motor control units and drive assemblies for the gimbal and fine track cameras. - Software development estimates increased (i.e., 20K estimated lines of code to 42K estimated lines of code, a $7M increase), due to system complexities, capabilities, and concept of employment. Support: Platform Integration including Installation Control Drawings (ICDs), Ship Installation Drawings (SIDs) and system installation costs were realized at three times the original cost estimate. Below-deck work required for ODIN installations is more extensive than originally programmed. Test & Evaluation (T&E): Testing of newly developed capabilities required a much higher quantity and quality of aircraft and targets for testing; and subsequent data analysis to validate requisite system capabilities.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Energy and Power Technologies
• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Atmospheric Motion
• Control Systems
• Cost Analysis
• Directed Energy Weapons
• Engineering
• High Energy Lasers
• Hypervelocity Projectiles
• Laser Weapons
• Lasers
• Maintenance
• Materials Testing
• Procurement
• Software Development
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Weapon Control
• Weapon Systems

Readers

• Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
• Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy
• Hypersonics
• Microelectronics