The Future of Directed Energy: Insights from the U.S. Army and Air Force

Colonel Richard Haggerty and Dr. Boris Zhdanov share insights into how the FY18 budget appropriations affected directed energy (DE) programs, where DE acquisition and force integration is heading in FY19, their priorities for research and development, and more. Colonel Haggerty is the ninth Project Manager for Instrumentation, Targets, Threat Simulators and SOF Training Systems (PM ITTS) at PEO STRI, U.S. Army. Dr. Zhdanov is a Senior Scientist at the Laser and Optics Research Center (LORC) at the US Air Force Academy (USAFA).

Colonel Haggerty, Can you tell me a little about your role at PEO STRI?
I'm the acquisition Project Manager of a joint portfolio supporting Test, Training, Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities (CEMA), and Special Operations.

Did the FY18 budget appropriations affect DE programs, and what do you expect to see in the future?
Our Resource Sponsor has done what it can to support the directed energy test developments, but consistent and prolonged Continuing Resolutions and the current FY18 appropriation has impacted development and prevented the initiation of new efforts.

What direction do you see directed energy development, acquisition and force integration heading in FY19?
The directed energy community is leveraging mature technologies for rapid prototyping and experimentation that will expedite the fielding of directed energy capabilities into the hands of the Warfighter. Rapid prototyping also supports military utilization assessments and tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) development.

In your role, what are the priorities for DE research and development?
We leveraged directed energy Test and Evaluation/ Science and Technology technologies for our top priority - to develop instrumented and threat-representative capabilities. These enable open air testing of directed energy systems in operationally representative environments.

And finally Colonel Haggerty, what are you most excited about for the Directed Energy Systems Summit?
Collaborating and finding synergies across the services to enable more efficient and focused fielding of directed energy into the hands of the Warfighter.

Dr. Boris Zhdanov please tell me about your role at the US Air Force Academy?
I am a contractor with Air Force Academy working as a Senior Researcher at Laser and Optics Research Center (LORC) of the Academy. I involved in research project devoted to development of Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPALs), which are the most promising laser for various Directed Energy applications.

Did the FY18 budget appropriations affect DE programs, and what do you expect to see in the future?
I think that DE programs must be better funded in future than in FY18, because development of tactical and strategic DE weapons is very important for national security and defense.

What direction do you see directed energy development, acquisition and force integration heading in FY19?
My opinion, that it is very important to start extensive research aimed to development of a high power laser source producing high quality beam from single aperture that allows us to destroy targets at very long distances.

In your role, what are the priorities for DE research and development?
I would recommend we pay more attention and invest more funds to development of high power DPALs scalable to power levels required for DE applications at long distances.

And to you as well Dr Zhdanov, What are you most excited about for the Directed Energy Systems Summit?
The opportunity to deliver my thoughts to the people who can make decisions on the future of Directed Energy Systems development.

About Colonel Richard Haggerty
Colonel Richard Haggerty is currently the ninth Project Manager for Instrumentation, Targets, Threat Simulators and SOF Training Systems (PM ITTS) at PEO STRI, Orlando, Florida. In support of its dynamic mission, PM ITTS manages five activities: the Instrumentation Management Office (IMO), the Product Manager for Special Operations Forces Training Systems (PM STS), and the product Lead for Cyber Resiliency and Training (PL CRT) located in Orlando, Florida; and the Targets Management Office (TMO) and the Threat Systems Management Office (TSMO) located in Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

About Dr. Boris Zhdanov
Dr. Boris Zhdanov is Senior Scientist at the Laser and Optics Research Center (LORC) at the US Air Force Academy (USAFA). He has over 35 years' experience in research and development on solid-state lasers, molecular lasers, alkali lasers, nonlinear optics, laser spectroscopy, atmospheric propagation, and teaching at the university level. Dr. Zhdanov has over 200 publications and conference presentations. He previously worked at LORC USAFA on the Diode Pumped Alkali Lasers project.

Related Links
Directed Energy Systems Summit
Learn about laser weapon technology at SpaceWar.com

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