Short Courses
The following short courses were offered by DEPS on 22 and 26 July 2024 in Swindon, UK in
conjunction with the UK/US Directed Energy Workshop.
Note that not all courses were open to all registrants. While all of the classes were unclassified,
some had additional participation requirements, which are listed below and are identified in the
Classification field in the course descriptions.
- Open/Public Release - Any registrant may participate.
- Limited Distribution C - Restricted to U.S. and U.K. citizens who are employees of their respective federal governments or its contractors participating under the current Information Exchange Agreements.
- Limited Distribution D - Restricted to U.S. and U.K. citizens who are employees of their respective Departments of Defense or its contractors participating under the current Information Exchange Agreements.
Continuous Learning Point
(CLP) credits were awarded by DEPS for
completion of these professional development short courses.
Course 1. An Intuitive Introduction to the Physics of High Energy Lasers
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution D
Instructor: Zack George, Modern Technology Solutions, Inc.
Duration: Half-day course; 0800-1200, Monday, 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: High Power Laser (HEL) weapons show promise to greatly improve the US
military's ability to fight, offering speed of light engagement, deep magazines, and ability to
"dial-an-effect". This half day short course will cover the language used and basic physics of the
technology of DE weapons by approaching the topics with intuitive explanations and minimal use of
complex mathematics. Topics to be covered include:
- The basic nature of light and RF radio waves
- HEL lethality analysis
- HEL Propagation in a real atmosphere and its effect on weaponization
- Lasers, how they work, and laser weaponization issues
- A HEL example to tie it all together
Intended Audience: The course is designed for people new to the field who need to quickly
develop an understanding of the key topics in order to be successful technical managers of DE projects.
It should help them speak the language, enable them to ask the hard questions, and accurately translate
expectations between the non-technical warfighter, the acquisition community, and the scientists and
engineers doing the work. However, anyone who is new to the field and just wants an insightful look at
the technology of DE weapons will also benefit. Those with a technical background will gain the most
from the course content, but since many of the principles are explained with basic concepts, non-technical
majors should achieve significant insight as well.
Instructor Biography: TBD
Course 2. Beam Control for Laser Weapon Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: Jack McCrae, Air Force Institute of Technology
Duration: Half-day course; 0800 - 1200, Monday, 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course closely follows the material presented in
six chapters of the DEPS-published textbook entitled: "Beam Control for Laser Systems, 2nd Edition."
Topics covered include:
- Optics fundamentals (Chapter 2)
- Systems engineering (Chapter 3)
- Classical controls (Chapter 5)
- Modern controls (Chapter 6)
- Optical train components (Chapter 11)
- Adaptive optics (Chapter 14)
Please note that graduates of this course will be able to purchase a copy of
"Beam Control for Laser Systems, 2nd Edition" at a significantly reduced
cost. The material presented in this textbook is tutorial in nature with
exercises at the back of each chapter. A companion CD also provides
solutions with MATLAB code for these exercises. An intended outcome of this
course is that graduates will be able to complete these exercises as
independent learners.
Intended Audience: This course is for those who seek a foundational
overview. Scientists and engineers, as well as technical managers will
benefit from the topics covered.
Instructor Biography: Jack E. McCrae, Jr. received his Ph.D. in Physics from the Air Force
Institute of Technology in 1997, an M.S. in Physics (Optics) from the Air
Force Institute of Technology in 1993, and a B.S. in Physics from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984. He is a retired Air Force
Colonel with 27 years of service and currently a Research Assistant
Professor with the Center for Directed Energy in the Engineering Physics
Department at AFIT. His research interests include optics, lasers, quantum
and non-linear optics, laser radar, atmospheric propagation and imaging.
Course 3. Systems Engineering for DE Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: Harry Sinsheimer, DEPS
Duration: Half-day course, runs 0800-1200, Monday, 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This introductory course is designed to provide an appreciation of Systems
Engineering in the pursuit of the Directed Energy (DE) Weapons revolution. After many decades of Research
& Development, emerging DE weapons systems must navigate the technology's "valley of death" through
thoughtful application of Systems Engineering principles to successfully field new warfighter capabilities.
The course will introduce the principles of Systems Engineering, define DE's High Energy Lasers (HEL)
and High-Power Microwave (HPM) Systems, then review DoD guidance and tools in the context of the
warfighters' missions. Conceptual HEL/HPM applications will provide instantiation examples and enable
interactive discussions.
At the end of the course, attendees will be better able to craft their programs to leverage proven
DoD SE processes and effectively integrate into existing and future DoD weapons systems/networks. The
course will cover the Systems Engineering Process throughout the Lifecycle.
Topics to be covered in this course include:
- The Big Picture/Overview
- DE Weapon Systems Definitions: HEL & HPM
- Military Requirements and User Interactions
- DoD SE Guides to include Mission Engineering (ME), Digital Engineering, System-of-Systems (SoS), Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), Software Engineering (SWE), and The Software Acquisition Pathway
- Systems Architecture and its application to DE Systems
- Tools to Enable Engineering Success: Modeling & Simulation (M&S) and How M&S supports DoD Processes
- Testing as an Integral Part of SE: the Different Types of Test & Evaluation (T&E)
- SE for High Energy Laser Weapon System Integration and T&E
- SE for HPM Weapon Systems and T&E
Intended Audience: This course is open to the public and requires no specific background as it
is general in nature, but rich in helping to understand the fundamental concepts of DE Weapon Systems and
how to apply System Engineering processes.
Instructor Biography: TBD
Course 4. Introduction to High Power Microwave Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: TBD
Duration: Half-day course; 1300-1700, Monday, 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course will provide an introduction to RF Directed Energy weapons,
also known as High Power Microwave (HPM) weapons. The course consists of five parts: 1) a general introduction to the basic terms
and concepts, 2) prime power and pulsed power systems needed to drive HPM devices, 3) HPM sources to include concepts
and examples, 4) HPM narrowband and wideband antennas, and 5) design and fabrication of HPM systems.
At the end of the class, students will know what RF-DEWs are and how they differ from classical Electronic Warfare
and nuclear EMP. Students will learn the various ways to design and develop HPM subsystems to include the fundamental
concepts through the practical construction of such systems (science and engineering). Technology discussions will
show the difference between narrow band (NB) and ultra-wide band (UWB) sources, antennas and diagnostics, as well as
the principal elements of the power systems needed to support them. The course concludes with a examples of HPM systems
developed in the recent years. Topics to be covered include:
- Definitions, motivation, notional concepts
- Technology - Power Sources and Power Conditioning, Microwave Oscillators, Antennas, Diagnostics
- System level design for multiple application
Intended Audience: Newcomers to the field of RF-DEW or managers with some background in science and engineering
will benefit the most from this course.
Instructor Biography:
Course 5. Principles and Practicalities of HPM Sources and Amplifiers
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructors:
- Prof. Kevin Ronald, Universiaty of Strathclyde
- Prof. Whyte, University of Strathclyde
- Dr. MacInnes
Duration: Half-day course; 1300 - 1700, Monday, 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: At the conclusion of this course, students will understand the overall
physics principles describing and governing HPM sources, as well as important physical processes
essential to enable such sources and constraining their realistic performance range. Students will also
understand the operation of several important types of microwave sources and be able to extend this
understanding to interpret the principles of emerging new technology appearing, from time to time in the
literature. Topics to be covered include:
- Brief Summary of EM theory including: Maxwell's eqn's (integral and differential); Wave eqn;
Solutions for the wave equation - waveguide modes and their dispersion
- Principles of EM wave-particle coupling: Fundamentals; physical principles of practical schemes;
Slow wave, fast wave and crossed field schemes; differences between amplifiers and oscillators;
configuration of important classes of source; examples of state of the art HPM sources
- Underpinning Physics including: Electron emission mechanisms and limitations; vacuum systems and
requirements; signal launching schemes
Intended Audience: Undergraduate degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering beneficial -
especially for the theoretical aspects, but not essential to benefit overall. Insight into the performance
of different source types should be accessible without deep technical expertise and therefore is of
potential benefit to management as well as scientists and engineers. The material should be accessible
to inexperienced new staff but should also provide some insight into ongoing research of interest to
senior practictioners.
Instructor Biographies: Prof. K Ronald, was awarded the degree of BSc in Physics in 1992 by the
University of Strathclyde and the degree of PhD for research investigating explosive electron emission
in fast wave oscillators by the same institution in 1997. Prof. Ronald has 30 years experience of
research in HPRF/HPM spanning work on sources, applications in accelerator physics and plasma physics
and in fundamental geophysical plasma physics research. Particular areas of interest include diagnostics
and current drive in tokamaks, Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR), parametric scattering of EM waves in
plasma (laboratory and geophysical), cold cathode techniques, muon accelerators, high power microwave
sources for applications in communications, RADAR, biochemical spectroscopy.
Course 7. Introduction to High Energy Laser Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: Dr. Lawrence Grimes, AFRL
Duration: Half-day course; 0800 - 1200, Friday, 26 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This lecture will introduce the field of HEL weapons and their associated technologies
using an interweaving of technical requirements, history, and accomplishments. The basic attributes of HEL weapons will be
covered, leading into discussions of laser-material interaction, lethality, potential weapon applications, system requirements,
laser power scaling, propagation, and beam control. DoD interest in tactical applications, current technical issues, and areas
of research emphasis will be highlighted.
Intended Audience: This course is geared to those with a technical background who seek an overview of HEL
technology and the current state of the art. Individuals who are beginning to work in the field or technical managers who
wish an integrated overview would benefit from the class.
Instructor Biography: TBD
Course 8. HPM Effects and Data Analysis
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C (US), Confidential (UK)
Instructor: Timothy Clarke, Air Force Research Laboratory
Day/Time: Half-day course; 0800-1200, Friday, 26 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course will provide a basic overview of Radio Frequency Directed Energy
(RF DE) and its effects on electronic systems. The course will cover what RF DE is, how it is similar to but
different from classic Electronic Warfare (EW) and Nuclear generated Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), and how it
penetrates targets systems and produces effects ranging from temporary interference to permanent damage.
We will also discuss the statistical nature of RF coupling to electronics and effects and how effect levels
are best described as a probability of effect or failure. Finally we will describe some RF effects models
and how they can be used to estimate probability of target effect. Topics include:
- RF DE Systems-Narrow Band and Wide Band RF
- RF Propagation and Coupling
- Effects on Electronic and Probability of Effect
- Effects Investigation Methodology
- RF Effects Models and Simulation
Intended Audience: The course is intended for anyone who wants to learn to the basics of RF DE
and how it effects on electronics, Even though it does not require a bachelor's degree in science or
engineering, it is meant for individual with some back ground in science or engineering and/or in technical
program management.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Timothy Clarke is the High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) Effects
Technology Manager at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. He
has worked in the area of HPEM for about 15 years. His PhD is from the Department of Applied Mathematics
and Theoretical Physics, Cambridge University.
Course 9. Tri-Service Laser Vulnerability Testing, Modeling, Simulation and Assessment Process
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution D
Instructors:
- Mr. Robert Ulibarri, AFRL
- Dr. Darren Luke, AFRL
- Dr. Michael Shekya, AFRL
Duration: Half-day course; 0800-1200, Friday 26 July
CEUs awarded: 4 CLPs
Course Description: The Tri-Service Laser Vulnerability Testing, Modeling, Simulation and
Assessment Process short course consists of two distinct sessions as described below. The content is
focused on target vulnerability testing/modeling to understand laser effectiveness for single engagements
with limited consideration for mission context.
This course does not cover mission level models that analyze weapon effectiveness, concept of
operation, tactics, techniques and procedures in larger military scenarios.
The Laser Effects Testing and and Equipment session will provide a discussion of all elements of
Laser/material interaction testing. The course will address the Joint Directed Energy Transition Office
(JDETO) data collection standards that can be applied during the planning and execution of the test.
This portion of the course will provide an overview of both laser and target specific measurement techniques
that should be collected during the execution of the test. Examples of experimental test setup and processes
will be presented along with a discussion related to targets, facility and test conditions selections as
well as the instrumentation and equipment necessary to acquire critical measurements This will include
development techniques and methods to execute HEL Lethality full scale target testing.
The Modeling & Simulation Tools/Techniques session will describe the models, codes and tools
utilized to analyze laser/material interaction and predict target effects. Model discussions will include
high-fidelity physics-based models as well as fast-running codes to provide vulnerability assessment for
inputs to system level modeling codes. The high-fidelity modeling will describe the key parameters and the
physics associated with laser/material interaction. Engineering-level modeling codes will be described that
identifies the key target parameters used for engagement analysis supporting a wide set of target scenarios
and engagements.
Intended Audience: Students attending this course should have an undergraduate degree in science
or engineering. The course is tailored for the system program manager, system designer, and the lethality
analyst who are interested in learning the full gamut of HEL lethality and target vulnerability analysis
and testing. Experience in the field would be helpful but not necessary.
Instructor Biographies: Mr. Robert Ulibarri is a Senior General Engineer with AFRL working
in the laser effects branch. He has been involved in effects testing and analysis for over 20 years
specifically on testing related activities. He is currently the program manager for the Directed
Energy Directorate's Laser Vulnerability Research Program focusing on the evaluation of tactical
targets of interest to the Air Force. He has conducted numerous complex laser effects field tests
involving such facilities as White Sands Missile Range's High Energy Laser System Test Facility and
several wind tunnel related activities at Arnold Engineering and Development Center. He is currently
supporting numerous customers including OUSD(R&E), MDA, DOT&E and AF/LCMC. He has a Mechanical
Engineering degree from the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Darren Luke is a Senior Research Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Laser Effects,
Modeling and Simulation Branch. He holds a PhD in Structural Engineering from the University of New
Mexico. He has 16 years of experience in high fidelity model development for laser effects applications
with an emphasis in thermal transport, laser-material interaction, high temperature progressive damage
plasticity, fracture mechanics, fluid dynamics, V&V methods, uncertainty quantification, and finite
element and particle methods. Dr. Luke has led numerous laser vulnerability studies evaluating the
vulnerability of tactical and strategic targets for several US High Energy Laser programs.
Dr. Michael Sheyka has a Ph.D.in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico and has
been a Mechanical Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) since 2015. He is currently
the Laser Effects Modeling and Simulation Branch engineering level modeling and assessments principal
investigator. He currently manages the laser vulnerability assessment team, performs high fidelity
modeling and analysis, and provides briefings and test support. His technical expertise includes
laser-material interactions, finite element and hydrodynamic simulation, testing and modeling,
uncertainty quantification, and optimization methodologies.
Course 10. Atmospheric Laser Propagation
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C
Instructors:
- Steven Fiorino, AFIT
- Jack McCrae, AFIT
Duration: Full-day course; 0800-1700, Friday, 26 July
CEUs awarded: 4 CLPs
Course Description: This course addresses how to characterize and quantify the major effects of the atmosphere
on directed energy weapons propagation. A first principles atmospheric propagation and characterization code called the Laser
Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) is described and demonstrated. LEEDR enables the creation of
climatologically- or numerical weather prediction (NWP)-derived vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, water vapor
content, optical turbulence, and atmospheric particulates and hydrometeors as they relate to line-by-line or band-averaged
layer extinction coefficient magnitude at any wavelength from 200 nm to 8.6 m. Applying those atmospheric effects to High
Energy Lasers (HELs) is addresses by introducing and demonstrating a high-fidelity scaling-law HEL propagation coded called
the High Energy Laser End-to-End Operational Simulation HELEEOS. The course outline is as follows:
- Intro to atmospheric structure and constituents
- Atmospheric boundary layer
- Aerosol / fog / clouds
- Atmospheric radiative / propagation effects
- Extinction, refraction
- Optical turbulence, scintillation
- Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR)
- HEL thermal blooming effects in the atmosphere
- Optics, beam control: turbulence / thermal blooming compensation
- Coherent beam combining
- High Energy Laser End to End Operational Simulation (HELEEOS)
Intended Audience: US Government personnel and their direct contractors who have program requirements for or are
interested in methods and tools to assess realistic environments and environmental effects for HEL modeling and simulation,
HEL mission planning, and/or military systems operations. The course assumes the students have some technical background in
radiative transfer through the atmosphere--either via an undergraduate degree or career experience.
Instructor Biographies: Steven T. Fiorino received his BS degrees in geography and meteorology from Ohio State
(1987) and Florida State (1989) universities. He additionally holds an MS in atmospheric dynamics from
Ohio State (1993) and a PhD in physical meteorology from Florida State (2002). He is a retired USAF Lt
Col who is currently an Associate Professor of atmospheric physics within the Engineering Physics
Department at AFIT and is the director of the AFIT Center for Directed Energy. His research interests
include microwave remote sensing, development of weather signal processing algorithms, and
atmospheric effects on military systems such as high-energy lasers and weapons of mass destruction.
Dr. Fiorino is a member of SPIE, AMS, AIAA, OSA, and DEPS.
Jack E. McCrae, Jr. received his Ph.D. in Physics from the Air Force
Institute of Technology in 1997, an M.S. in Physics (Optics) from the Air
Force Institute of Technology in 1993, and a B.S. in Physics from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984. He is a retired Air Force
Colonel with 27 years of service and currently a Research Assistant
Professor with the Center for Directed Energy in the Engineering Physics
Department at AFIT. His research interests include optics, lasers, quantum
and non-linear optics, laser radar, atmospheric propagation and imaging.
Course 11. HEL Modeling
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C
Instructor: Dr. Lawrence Grimes, AFRL
Duration: Half-day course; 1300-1700, Friday, 26 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course will provide a survey of modeling and simulation tools used in
HEL system analysis and how they can be used together at every level of the modeling and simulation (M&S)
pyramid. The course will include a description of HEL modeling tools in three levels of M&S to include:
1) Engineering/Physics, 2) Engagement, and 3) Mission. Each of these areas will be covered during the
half-day course with an emphasis on end-to-end system modeling, model fidelity/complexity trade-offs,
examples of specific types of analysis applications, and operational considerations necessary to
represent HEL capabilities accurately in engagement and mission-level environments. At the end of
the course, the student should expect to gain a familiarity with the broad scope of HEL modeling,
many of the existing tools, and examples of how to use them together for various types of analytical
applications.
Topics to be covered include:
- Survey of many existing HEL modeling tools
- Methods to use the tools together to perform end-to-end system modeling
- Overview of the levels of the M&S pyramid and how to use them for different analysis objectives
- Operational considerations necessary to accurately represent HEL capabilities in engagement and mission-level environments
Intended Audience: US Government personnel and their contractors who are interested in methods
and tools to assess realistic end-to-end HEL system performance through available modeling and simulation
tools. The course is designed for systems engineers, operations research analysts, program managers or
technologists who are interested in learning the applications of modeling and simulation techniques to
evaluate HEL system performance and operational effectiveness. Technical managers or professionals with
experience in HEL systems or individuals who are beginning to work in the field would benefit from the
class.
Instructor Biography: TBD
Last updated: 15 September 2024
