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. The FY23 budget request supports systems engineering, mission analysis, completion of the integration of major components of a HELCAP prototype system, and performance of beam control tracker and adaptive optics experimentation and demonstrations. Planning and preparations for FY23 system experimentation and ASCM detect to defeat demonstrations utilizing the prototype system, static and dynamic ground targets, and low-cost unmanned aerial targets will take place. FY23 activities will culminate with this demonstration and preparation for targeting and tracking limited maritime experimentation planned for FY24. Project 3402 - 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. High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler System (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 FY23 budget request supports the execution of at-sea testing following the successful completion and installation of Mk 5 Mod 0 HELIOS on DDG 88 during AEGIS Modernization availability in FY2022, technical engineering services during testing, and maintenance and repair support of the system as necessary, to include procurement and/or production of repair parts, and updates to training materials and associated deliverables for any changes identified during at-sea testing. 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; and establish industrial sources(s) for Spectral Beam Combining (SBC) diffraction grating production. The FY23 budget request supports the development of the production capability enhancement of the Laser Weapon Beam Director (LWBD) components and sub-systems, coating chambers for laser weapon optics, Fast Steering Mirrors (FSM) and deformable mirrors, and the diffraction gratings for Spectral Beam Combining (SBC) lasers. This investment is a risk mitigation for manufacturing capability enhancements through the qualification and validation of production equipment and process improvements. Project 9823 - Lasers for Navy Applications: Optical Dazzler Interdictor 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 FY23 budget request supports shipboard technical support, test checkout, training updates, updates to maintenance requirements and shipboard allowance documentation, and Operation & Sustainment (O&S) of Units 1-7; continues procurement, assembly, checkout, integration and T&E of Unit 8; and the development of the technology refresh package and subsystem maturation efforts to improve the reliability, capability and operability of ODIN. 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.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2023
• Source ID: 0603925N_4_1319_PB_2023
• Change Summary Explanation: The FY21 net funding decrease in the amount of $2.922 million consists of a $2.921 million SBIR reduction and a $.001 million rate adjustment. The FY23 funding includes a new PU 5898 for Directed Energy Components for High Energy Lasers --- FY 2023 funding increase reflects the fact that the FY 2022 President’s Budget request did not include out-year funding.
• Service Agency Name: Navy

Entities

Organizations

• United States Navy

Tags

Communities of Interest

• Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

• Atmospheric Motion
• Control Systems
• Directed Energy Weapons
• Engineering
• High Energy Lasers
• Laser Weapons
• Lasers
• Maintenance Requirements
• Manufacturing
• Materials
• National Security
• Procurement
• Program Management
• Systems Engineering
• Test And Evaluation
• Weapon Control
• Weapon Systems

Fields of Study

• Physics

Readers

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

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy
• Microelectronics