Directed Energy Test
Abstract
Directed energy test technologies are transitioning rapidly into acquisition programs and Joint Concept Technology Demonstrations. These weapon technologies, primarily consisting of High Energy Lasers (HEL) and High Power Microwaves (HPM), are outpacing the supporting test technologies. HEL and HPM advancements have created a new class of weapon systems in which energy is placed on a target instantaneously; traditional test techniques for evaluating conventional munitions (with flight times ranging from seconds to minutes) are not applicable to test and evaluation (T&E) of these types of systems. Consequently, new technology solutions are needed to ensure that adequate developmental, live fire, and operational test capabilities are available when directed energy programs are ready to test. Directed energy system and component testing requires two principal assessments: weapon performance, and the specific interaction of energy and target. Current assessment of these systems is based on effects testing, i.e., determining if and when a target was destroyed; however, these test capabilities do not provide the detailed data required to understand directed energy system performance. Military utility of these weapons will depend upon the knowledge acquired through T&E to gage how much to trust the technologies under development and how best to use them. The T&E/S&T Directed Energy Test focus area is developing the technologies necessary for quantitative assessment of HEL and HPM performance and target interaction to support thorough testing of directed energy systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 5_0603941D8Z_3_0400_PB_2011
Related Documents
- Root: Test and Evaluation/Science and Technology
- Child Accomplishment: Directed Energy Test