afrl perspective on near term de test and experimentation · afrl directed energy directorate....

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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

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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

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• 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)

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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.