Directed Energy Weapons

Dr. David C. Stoudt

Senior Director, Naval Capabilities & Readiness

Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy

for Plans, Policy, Oversight, and Integration

Naval Directed Energy Way Ahead

America Society of Naval Engineers Day 2014

Electric Ships’ Requirements and Mission Systems Panel

20 February 2014

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

2

Distribution A – Distribution is Unlimited

Why Directed Energy Weapons?

Meet the Challenges facing the Navy

• Defeat Anti-Access capabilities

• Potential adversaries threatening to

restrict Navy freedom to operate

• Logistics & cost of using $2M weapons

against $50k threat

• Directed Energy puts us on the right

side of the “cost curve”

• Expand magazine depth

• Only limited by fuel onboard

• Reduce at-sea weapons resupply

• Address ROE challenges

• Enable Real-Time Combat ID &

Intent Determination

• Speed of light delivery

• Precise engagement

• Graduated effects

Directed Energy Weapons address existing Mission Requirements/Gaps Directed Energy Weapons address existing Mission Requirements/Gaps

3


Time to infuse the Naval Directed Energy Vision and Strategy goals,

principles, priorities, and objectives into strategic plans, roadmaps,

and associated implementation activities across the DON Enterprise

UNSECNAV Robert O. Work

Surface Navy Association National Symposium

January 18, 2013

“Woe to us if we lose the

race to directed energy

weapons and

electromagnetic

railguns,” … “That’s not

going to be a future that

we want.”

CMC Gen. James F. Amos

Naval S&T Partnership Conference

October 23, 2012

“These [non-lethal]

capabilities truly help

minimize casualties

while providing

escalation of force

options and an assist

to our national

strategic objectives. I

encourage your efforts

in the experimentation

of this technology …”

CNO ADM Jonathan W. Greenert

Transformation Goals to Meet New and Emerging Threats

July 28, 2011

“We will also focus on

supporting the

development of

emerging technologies

we think hold the

greatest promise for

future naval and joint

warfighting (such as

the railgun, Free

Energy Laser, and

Directed Energy).”

DON Leadership Views on DE

“Our directed energy

initiatives, and

specifically the solid –

state laser, are among

our highest priority

S&T programs.”

CNR RADM Matthew Klunder

Sea-Air-Space Symposium

April 8, 2013

4


Naval Directed Energy Steering

Group (NDESG)

• SECNAV initiative to deliver a synchronized, fiscally-informed plan that aligns DE investments with roadmaps across DOTMLPF spectrum to address near-term fleet capability gaps and long-range vision for fleet implementation of DE

5


POLICY / LEGAL

MISSIONS / CONOPS

S&T / R&D

SYSTEMS & PLATFORMS

THREAT ASSESSMENT

SEA AIR LAND CYBER SPACE

Near-Term (2015-2019)

Mid-Term (2020-2025)

Far-Term (2026-2035)

PROGRAM GUIDANCE & INVESTMENTS

DOTMLPF

ROADMAP

DE Vision-Strategy-Roadmap

6


A Directed Energy Vision for U.S. Naval Forces

Advances in high and low energy lasers and high-power radio frequency

technologies enable a new class of weapons - directed energy weapons (DEWs)

- that could be highly effective in the future battlespace. We will capitalize on

these advances by providing our Sailors and Marines robust DEWs and

countermeasures to complement our legacy and future kinetic and electronic

warfare weapon systems, thereby dramatically improving the effectiveness of

our naval forces against a diverse range of 21st Century threats.

• DoN will focus its DE investments on those technologies that improve

effectiveness of naval forces against a diverse range of threats

– Early focus on defeating IED’s; rockets, artillery, and mortars; ISR systems; fast-

attack craft; fixed and rotary-wing aviation; and subsonic anti-ship cruise missiles

– Longer term focus on defeating supersonic cruise missiles and ballistic missiles

• DoN will field initial DEW capabilities in near-term to provide our fleet

and operating forces with ability to address identified critical mission

capability gaps while learning invaluable fielding and employment

lessons that will inform our way ahead

– A measured approach toward DEW S&T and R&D activities and their transition to

acquisition programs based on operational requirements, technological maturity,

demonstrated performance, and ease of systems integration affordability

7


U.S. Naval Directed Energy Strategy

Near-Term Objectives

Provides a unified Department of the Navy Strategy to guide development of

Directed Energy technology and establish guiding principles, strategic goals,

overarching objectives, mission area priorities, and the roles and responsibilities

across the Navy and Marine Corps [signed 12 July 2012]

Mission Planning &

Program Development • Prioritize DEW missions

• Perform DoN Capabilities

Based Analyses leading to

ICDs and AoAs necessary to

establish Program of Record

(PoR)

• Establish PoRs to include

addressing DOTMLPF and

inform naval power and

energy requirements

• Deliver satellite predictive

avoidance, decentralized

propagation fire control

system to enable operational

employment of HEL systems

Naval Warfare DEW Applications • Develop and demonstrate combat

prototype 20-100 kW class laser

weapons systems leading to PoRs

• Develop HPRF supporting

technologies to incorporate into

existing PoRs

• Deliver enhanced C-IED capabilities

to improve warfighter support

• Demonstrate combat prototype

HPRF systems

Counter-DEW • Systematically evaluate

adversary DEW capabilities,

consider material and non-

material approaches to ensure

continued freedom of action

• Identify platforms, systems,

and other capabilities that are

vulnerable to adversary DEWs;

institute programs to

reduce/eliminate risks

• Invest in technologies and

TTPs to counter various DEWs

• Manage availability of test

ranges, facilities, test platforms

instrumentation, and targets to

support C-DEW vulnerability

studies and mitigation testing

8


Naval Directed Energy Roadmap

• Aligns and prioritizes DoN DE investments in near- (2-5 years),

mid- (5-10 years), and far-term (10-20 years) based on naval

capability gaps, potential military utility, and technical maturity

while emphasizing total ownership cost

• Provide DoN Leadership a snapshot of key drivers, decision

points, and opportunities to shape technology/program

development, transition to the Fleet, and investment strategy

• Near-term DE roadmap development is in progress

– Goal for completion and approval: Spring 2014

• Goal for Mid- and Far-Term Roadmaps completion and

approval: Fall 2014

9


Naval HEL Capabilities & Missions

• Small boat defense

• C-ISR

• C-UAS

• Combat Identification

• Counter-rockets, artillery

and mortars (C-RAM)

• C-ASCM/TBM

10

MULTIPLE NAVAL DOMAIN NEEDS, REQUIREMENTS

& S&T PROGRAM efforts FOR HEL

Surface Ship Protection OPNAV N96, NAVSEASYSCOM PEO-IWS, PMS405, NSWC

Air Self Protection &

Strike/Power Projection OPNAV N98, NAVAIRSYSCOM PEO(T),

PMA-242, NAWC CL

Ground

Protection USMC/MCCDC, OPNAV N95

MARCORSYSCOM, NSWC

Submarine Protection OPNAV N97, NAVSEASYSCOM PEO-Subs, PMS405, NUWC

Counter-UAV

Counter-ISR

Counter FAC/FIAC

Counter ASCM

MH-60S

Counter Man-Pad

Counter FAC/FIAC

Mine Clearance (N95)

Counter Air Counter-UAV (on the move)

Counter Man-Pad

C-RAM

Counter HELO/MPA/UAV

SO/LIC, Counter FAC/FIAC

Timeframe / Needs

Near (2014-2018)

Mid (2018-2025)

Far (2025+)

SSL

FEL

GBAD HEFL

SBIRs

NAVSEA LaWS

DARPA HELLADS

OSD HEL JTO RELI

OSD HEL

JTO RELI

OS

D H

EL

JT

O R

EL

I


11


Kinetic vs HEL Weapon Effectiveness

Theater Ballistic Missiles

12

Fire

Control

Station

Laser

Source

Optical Bench

K-M

Typical Laser Weapon Main Components

• Laser Subsystem

• Target Tracking System

• Beam Director, including – Optical Telescope

– Kinetic-Mechanical (K-M) Mount

– Optical/Diagnostic Bench

– Exit Aperture

• Fire Control Station

– Including Safety Functions

Beam Director

Exit

Aperture

Tracking

System

Power

Thermal Cooling + o

Slew

Tip-Tilt

Laser output aperture

Target

25-40% Efficient!

3x laser power

generated in heat

4 x needed in

Input power

Low Average Power / Duty Cycle

Target 1 Target 2 Target X

Inp

ut

Po

wer

Time

ONR/NSWCDD Slide from ASNE Day 2013


13


SSL-WS Platform Integration

(SWaP & Cooling)

• NAVSEA completed SSL Ship Integration

studies for LCS and DDG in 2012

• 30 kW SSL Requirements

– Cooling Required: 25 tons (90 kW pk pwr)

– Total Power (w/o cooling): 120 kW pk pwr

(Actual average power requirement LOWER)

• 125 kW SSL Requirements

– Cooling Required: 107 tons (375 kW pk pwr)

– Total Power (w/o cooling): 500 kW pk pwr

• Intermediate Energy Storage Possible

• Increased ship’s weight of 10-40 MT

depending on SSL power, stored energy

requirements, and additional cooling

• Requires modifications to power cables and

cooling systems

14


HEL Propagation

Just another day on patrol…

• More optimal propagation as

you move from maritime, to

land-based, to airborne, and

finally to space

• Negative impact on beam

quality and thus lethality

• Shock & Vib Specs

15

Manned

Spacecraft

Satellites

Commercial AirUnmanned

Aircraft System

Tactical Air

Commercial

Vessels

Surface CombatantsThreat Vessels

Platform Position Accuracy

HEL Pointing

Accuracy and

Specifications

Required HEL “Clear Path”

HEL Threat

Engagement

Threat Flight Plath

HEL CEP

Moves in a Dynamic

HEL Engagement

Overall HEL

Beam Accuracy

Tactical/Commercial

Assets

Space Assets

Surface Contacts

© David C. Stoudt, May 2011

Predictive Avoidance and

Airspace / Surface Deconfliction Problem


Navy Proven

GFE Advances!

16


Current Naval HEL Initiatives

• LaWS Solid State Laser Quick Reaction

Capability (SSL-QRC): NAVSEA PMS-

405/ONR

• High Energy Fiber Laser (HEFL): ONR

• Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) FNC:

ONR

• Solid State Laser Technology Maturation

(SSL-TM): ONR/PMS-405

• Free Electron Laser (FEL): ONR

SSL-TM

ARTIST CONCEPTUAL IMAGE 16

DISTRIBUTION A – DISTRIBUTION IS UNLIMITED

DISTRIBUTION A – DISTRIBUTION IS UNLIMITED

Solid State Laser – Quick Reaction Capability AN/SEQ-3(XN-1) Laser Weapon System (LaWS)

Laser Weapon System Integrated with

CIWS and Commercial Radars

Install Summer 2014: USS PONCE

For Operational Deployment

Risk reduction for future program of record

Close & Medium Range

High Resolution Optical

ID, Defeat & BDA

17

Long Range LOS/Optical

Air Target ID, Defeat & BDA

COUNTER UAV COUNTER ISR

COUNTER SMALL BOAT

18


Solid State Laser Weapon System

• Follow-on to ONR SSL-TM

development program

• Navy planning to commence

JCIDS Pre-Milestone A

analysis, evaluating SSL

technical maturity, operational

capabilities, and affordability

with intent to transition SSL-

TM to a PoR in FY16 (IOC

FY21/22)

19


Submarine High Energy Laser

Working Group

• Provide an offensive and defensive

capability against high-speed small boats

and low-speed fixed and rotary wing

aircraft in the mid-term (6-10 years).

• May provide improved performance,

affordability, maintainability, reliability,

and system volume over other options.

• The SUB HEL WG, chartered and led by OPNAV N97, reviewed and

assessed the technology required to develop a HEL Weapon for integration

on a submarine.

• SUB HEL WG is drafting a proposed way ahead for the development and

integration of a HEL weapon system demonstration on a submarine.

20


• Counter-IED

• Counter-UAS

• Non-lethal Counter-Personnel

• Vehicle/Vessel Stopping

• Counter-command, control,

communication and

computers (C-C4)

• Infrastructure attack

• Counter-man portable air

defense systems (C-

MANPAD)

• UAS based HPRF GPS

Jammer Detection & Negation

Naval HPRF Capabilities & Missions

Active Denial NIRF

Guillotine

RFVS

C-C4

RFVS

Infrastructure Attack

21

Recent Naval Successes in DE

• Counter-IED – NIRF

– RELOC

– Banshee

– Detect/Neutralize FNC

• High Power Radio Frequency – Airborne HPM MUA

– RF Vehicle Stopper

– RF Vessel Stopper

– Pre-emplaced Vehicle Stopper

– Joint Counter-RF Program

• High Energy Laser – NAVSEA LaWS – Black Dart

2009/2011/2012

– Maritime Laser Demonstration

– MK38 Laser Demonstration


22


Summary

• The DON is a leader in DoD in DEW development and

operational employment

– Current or proposed R&D efforts across all naval domains:

Surface Ships

Aircraft

Ground Vehicles

Submarines

• DEW systems will present new challenges for platform

integration that will influence future platform designs

• DEWs provide the opportunity for the Navy and Marine

Corps to meet capability gaps in a more cost effective

manner with a relatively unlimited magazine depth

Documents

Directed Energy Weapons