Naval Directed Energy Way Ahead

America Society of Naval Engineers Day 2014

Electric Ships Requirements and Mission Systems Panel
20 February 2014

Dr. David C. Stoudt

Senior Director, Naval Capabilities & Readiness
Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy
for Plans, Policy, Oversight, and Integration
DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

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Why Directed Energy Weapons?

Meet the Challenges facing the Navy
Defeat Anti-Access capabilities

Expand magazine depth

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
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

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DON Leadership Views on DE

Woe to us if we lose the
race to directed energy
weapons and
electromagnetic
railguns, Thats not
going to be a future that
we want.

UNSECNAV Robert O. Work

Surface Navy Association National Symposium
January 18, 2013

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

CMC Gen. James F. Amos

Naval S&T Partnership Conference
October 23, 2012

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

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).

CNO ADM Jonathan W. Greenert

Transformation Goals to Meet New and Emerging Threats
July 28, 2011

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
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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

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DE Vision-Strategy-Roadmap

ROADMAP
SEA

AIR

LAND

CYBER SPACE

POLICY / LEGAL
THREAT ASSESSMENT
MISSIONS / CONOPS
DOTMLPF
S&T / R&D
SYSTEMS & PLATFORMS
PROGRAM GUIDANCE & INVESTMENTS

Near-Term
(2015-2019)

Mid-Term

Far-Term

(2020-2025)

(2026-2035)

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A Directed Energy Vision for U.S. Naval Forces

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 IEDs; rockets, artillery, and mortars; ISR systems; fastattack 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
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.
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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

Counter-DEW

Systematically evaluate
adversary DEW capabilities,
consider material and nonmaterial approaches to ensure
continued freedom of action
Identify platforms, systems,
and other capabilities that are
Naval Warfare DEW Applications
vulnerable to adversary DEWs;
Develop and demonstrate combat
institute programs to
prototype 20-100 kW class laser
reduce/eliminate risks
weapons systems leading to PoRs
Invest in technologies and
Develop HPRF supporting
TTPs to counter various DEWs
technologies to incorporate into
Manage availability of test
existing PoRs
ranges, facilities, test platforms
Deliver enhanced C-IED capabilities
instrumentation, and targets to
to improve warfighter support
support C-DEW vulnerability
Demonstrate combat prototype
studies and mitigation testing
HPRF systems
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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

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Naval HEL Capabilities & Missions

Small boat defense

C-ISR
C-UAS
Combat Identification
Counter-rockets, artillery
and mortars (C-RAM)
C-ASCM/TBM

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MULTIPLE NAVAL DOMAIN NEEDS, REQUIREMENTS

& S&T PROGRAM efforts FOR HEL
Surface Ship Protection
OPNAV N96, NAVSEASYSCOM PEO-IWS, PMS405, NSWC

NAVSEA LaWS
DARPA HELLADS
OSD HEL JTO RELI

Counter-UAV
Counter-ISR
Counter FAC/FIAC
Counter ASCM

Ground
Protection

Timeframe / Needs
Near (2014-2018)
Mid (2018-2025)
Far (2025+)

Air Self Protection &

Strike/Power Projection

USMC/MCCDC, OPNAV N95

MARCORSYSCOM, NSWC

OPNAV N98, NAVAIRSYSCOM PEO(T),

PMA-242, NAWC CL

SSL
FEL

GBAD

HEFL
MH-60S

SBIRs

OSD HEL
JTO RELI

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

Counter HELO/MPA/UAV
SO/LIC, Counter FAC/FIAC

OSD HEL
JTO RELI

Counter-UAV (on the move)

Counter Man-Pad
C-RAM

Counter Man-Pad
Counter FAC/FIAC
Mine Clearance (N95)
Counter Air

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Kinetic vs HEL Weapon Effectiveness

Theater Ballistic Missiles

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Typical Laser Weapon Main Components

Target

Beam Director
Exit
Aperture

Tip-Tilt
Tracking
System

K-M
Optical Bench

Laser Subsystem
Target Tracking System
Beam Director, including

Slew

Laser output aperture

25-40% Efficient!

Laser
Source

3x laser power
generated in heat
4 x needed in
Input power

Fire Control Station

Fire
Control
Station

Including Safety Functions

Power
Thermal Cooling
Input Power

+ o

Optical Telescope
Kinetic-Mechanical (K-M) Mount
Optical/Diagnostic Bench
Exit Aperture

ONR/NSWCDD Slide from ASNE Day 2013

Target 1 Target 2

Time

Target X

Low Average Power / Duty Cycle

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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 ships weight of 10-40 MT
depending on SSL power, stored energy
requirements, and additional cooling
Requires modifications to power cables and
cooling systems
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HEL Propagation
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

Just another day on patrol

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Predictive Avoidance and

Airspace / Surface Deconfliction Problem
Space Assets
Satellites
Manned
Spacecraft

Required HEL Clear Path

Threat Flight Plath

Tactical/Commercial
Assets

HEL CEP
Unmanned
Aircraft System

HEL Threat
Engagement

Commercial Air

Tactical Air

Navy Proven
GFE Advances!
Surface Contacts
Commercial
Vessels
Threat Vessels

Surface Combatants

Overall HEL
Beam Accuracy

Moves in a Dynamic
HEL Engagement

HEL Pointing
Accuracy and
Specifications
Platform Position Accuracy
David C. Stoudt, May 2011

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Current Naval HEL Initiatives

LaWS Solid State Laser Quick Reaction
Capability (SSL-QRC): NAVSEA PMS405/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

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Solid State Laser Quick Reaction Capability

AN/SEQ-3(XN-1) Laser Weapon System (LaWS)
Laser Weapon System Integrated with
CIWS and Commercial Radars

Long Range LOS/Optical

Air Target ID, Defeat & BDA

Install Summer 2014: USS PONCE

For Operational Deployment

Risk reduction for future program of record

COUNTER UAV
COUNTER ISR

COUNTER SMALL BOAT

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Close & Medium Range

High Resolution Optical
ID, Defeat & BDA

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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 SSLTM to a PoR in FY16 (IOC
FY21/22)

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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.

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Naval HPRF Capabilities & Missions

Active Denial

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 (CMANPAD)
UAS based HPRF GPS
Jammer Detection & Negation

NIRF

RFVS

C-C4

RFVS

Guillotine
Infrastructure Attack

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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

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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

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