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Integrity Service Excellence
AFRL Perspective on Near Term DE Test and Experimentation
18 Jan 2018
Dr. Kelly D. Hammett, SESDirector
AFRL Directed Energy Directorate
AFRL/RD Mission and Vision
Leading the discovery, development, and
integration of affordable (directed energy)
warfighting technologies for our air, space, and
cyberspace force.
AFRL/RD’s Role and Challenges
• AF HEL and HPM roadmaps derived from RD’s S&T and M&S portfolios. AF strategic priorities narrow the vast DE technological tradespace
• Experimentation reduces transition risk using DE prototypes to mature concepts of employment BEFORE key program milestones
• Test verifies delivered weapons meet established and vetted warfighter needs
Weapon MS&A
High Power Electromagnetics
DE & EO for SS
Laser Systems
The Directed Energy Directorate not only develops technology but also informs AF-level developmental planning and assists DE test,
experimentation, and acquisition offices.
AF Roadmap: High Power Microwave Weapons
2nd generation HPM system on CALCM-class missile
• Design, develop, & test a multi-shot and multi-target HPM-enabled cruise missile
• Reduce HPM source & pulsed-power SWaP
• Optimize waveforms for enhanced effectiveness
• Improve source efficiency• Develop effective Concepts of
Employment
Advanced HPM concepts forfuture applications
• Build smart waveform HPM for enhanced range-to-effect from re-useable platforms like the X-47B
• Perform cooperative targetengagement & real time BDA
Increasing Capability – Family of HPM weapons across air platforms
HPM on smaller missile
2018 2025 2029+
Key HPM System S&T Disciplines• Target effects• HPM sources• Pulsed Power• Passive BDA• Numerical design & analysis
Prototypes in development now. Experimentation planned FY 18-20
Ground-based HPM Systems for Airbase Air Defense Mission
Increasing AFRL Role/Investment
AF Roadmap: Laser WeaponsNotional 300 kW-class HEL concept on 6th gen aircraft
Notional 100 kW-class HEL concept on 4th and 5th gen
aircraftEntry Level Capability
10s of kW HEL
• Aircraft self-defense: defeat moderate salvo of SAMs
• A-A missions: Defeat missiles& aircraft at moderate range
• A-G Missions: Ultra-preciseweapon against moderatelyhard targets
• A-A Missions: Defeat IR missiles• Defeat sensors
• Defeat aircraft beyond visual range• Defeat hard targets in flight at range• Hard ground target defeat
Reducing SWaP and Increasing Capability for A2/AD Environment
Key Laser System S&T Disciplines• Target effects• Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing• Beam Control• Laser sources• Power & thermal management• Numerical design & analysis
2018-2021 2025 2029+
10/16
Transitioning NOW!Experimentation planned FY18-20
Ground-based HEL Systems for Airbase Air Defense Mission
Increasing AFRL Role/Investment
AF DEW Flight Plan
• Signed by SECAF/CSAF 22 May 2017• Holistic Approach - AF Enterprise Wide Perspective
• Coordinated by all MAJCOMs• Guided by Validated Capability Gaps• Incorporates Intelligence Assessments & Motivation
• Operational Use Cases with Transition Opportunity Timeframes
• Directs Required Actions
6
Purpose of AF DEW Flight Plan
• Directs activities across the AF to support operationalization of DEWs to deliver key effects to the battlefield; nearly 30 directive actions across the AF Enterprise
• Identifies and Documents:– Capability Gaps (where DEW are potential solutions)– Required Investments– Limitations/Constraints– DOTmLPF-P considerations– Test Infrastructure needs– Potential incremental transition timelines/milestones– Life Cycle Acquisition Considerations– Prototyping and Experimentation needs– S&T needs
7
• Demonstrator Laser Weapons System (DLWS)– Supporting T&E since 2016
• Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD)– Enters low power test in 2019– Early developmental target range testing already underway
• Next Generation HPM Counter UAS Prototype– Coming 2019
• HPM Counter Cruise Missile– Coming 2019
• Counter Electronics High Power Microwave Advance Missile Project (CHAMP+)– Ready Now
Inbound AFRL Demonstrators and Prototypes
These are accompanied by MANY DE prototypes and demonstrators being developed by industry.
• Explore how DE weapons will be employed alongside existing:– KE weapons– Sensors– Command and control– Battle management systems
• Warfighters at the controls• Using proven DE prototypes
DEW Experimentation CampaignStrategic Developmental Planning and Experimentation (SDPE) Lead
Mission: Mature DE Weapon Concepts of Employment to Inform Program Decisions
AF DEW Experimentation Campaign Plan(Pending Capability Development Council (CDC) Approval)
Senior AF Leadership Direction
VCSAF chair – 1 Jun 2017
4 ExperimentsFY 18-20
1.
2.
3.
4.
Experimental Approach
Counter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Counter Cruise Missile
Precision Electronic Strike
Large Aircraft Self Defense
- Red Teaming- Acquisition/Fielding Cost Analysis- Develop/Validate Concepts of Operation
Mod and Sim Wargaming Hardware Experiments
Signed by SECAF and CSAF22 May 2017
• DEW Flight Plan charges the 704th
TG to develop plan for preparing infrastructure for DE T&E– RD is a charter member of the DE
T&E consortium– RD will be part of the DE Combined
Test Force (CTF)• Planned stand up at KAFB Spring 2018
– Initiatives for increased DE test infrastructure at WSMR being worked
RD Support to T&E Infrastructure Development
Unique RD Facilities Available to Support DE T&E
4,325 acres of land 861,450 square feet of space Kirtland Air Force Base, NM
White Sands Missile Range, NMMaui, Hawaii
Satellite Assessment Center (SatAC)
High Energy Microwave Laboratory (HEML)
Starfire Optical Range (SOR)
Telescope Atmospheric Compensation Laboratory (TAC Lab)
AF Maui Optical & Supercomputing Site (AMOS)
North Oscura Peak (NOP) White Sands Missile Range (WSMR)
High Energy Research and Technology Facility (HERTF)
Davis Advanced Laser Facility (DALF)
12
RD’s Environmental Laser Test Facility (ELTF)
The ELTF simulates flight or ship vehicle vibration, acoustic, and temperature environments.
DE systems under test can transmit high-energy beam downrange to a diagnostic suite while in an operationally relevant ship or air platform environment.
Getting off the Stage
AFRL/RD has been making the future happen for over 40 years and will continue to do so for years to come.
Mature DE systems are arriving requiring enhanced test infrastructure/capacity
The T&E community and our industry partners must now seize center stage in order to transition these critical DE capabilities and bring light to the fight.