Typical Classification
Unclassified, Public Release
Typical Duration
Half-day course
Course Description
DE Warfighter is an introductory course on Directed Energy Weapons, including High Energy Laser (HEL) Weapons and High-Power Microwave (HPM) Weapons. The course does not teach the scientific equations or how to build a Directed Energy Weapon, nor does it assume the student has any technical background or experience. This course provides basic principles of understanding that most people from any type of educational background can grasp and understand.
Since Directed Energy Weapon Systems are nearing operational use, the emphasis is on the operationally distinguishing characteristics of HEL/HPM systems nearing deployment. Consequently, this course was designed for warfighters, so it also places Directed Energy Weapons into the context of military operations and applications. As HEL and HPM weapon systems are rapidly maturing and now entering warfighter field trials in operational conditions, it is also important that program managers, logisticians, politicians, and other non-scientific background Department of War and/or defense contractor personnel better understand Directed Energy Weapons in a more practical way. Therefore, this HEL/HPM course transforms the complex science involved into more simplified and easier to understand terms and examples. This is to help people without a technical education be able to better grasp what the Directed Energy Weapons are (and what they are not, i.e., "Myth Busting"), and how they might be employed to complement the current arsenal of Kinetic Energy Weapons (i.e., missiles, rockets, bombs, bullets, etc.). This course may also be helpful to scientists and engineers who already have a background in one type of Directed Energy Weapon System (e.g., HEL), but now are interested in learning the basics of another type of Directed Energy Weapon System (e.g., HPM) due to a change in assignment or just because they simply want to broaden their knowledge background. The course also provides some real-world examples from past HEL and HPM weapon systems programs, including pictures and videos.
Intended Audience
This course provides a foundational introduction to the operational characteristics of High Energy Laser (HEL) and High Power Microwave (HPM) weapon systems. It is designed for participants without a technical background, offering clear, accessible explanations of core concepts and system behavior.