The typical overview agenda for a Systems Symposium is listed below. This will change as details emerge.
Monday, 16 November
- SHORT COURSES
- Evening Welcome Event - Co-Hosted by IPG Photonics
Tuesday, 17 November
- PLENARY SESSION (AM CUI Session / PM Secret Session)
- ⧫ AM Panel: From Prototype to Arsenal: Scaling Directed Energy for Production
- ⧫ PM Panel: Directed Energy in the Fight: Operational Employment and Warfare Impact
- Lunch - Co-Hosted by Optimax Systems, Inc.
- Evening Reception - Co-Hosted by FiveNine Optics
Wednesday, 18 November
- AM/PM CUI & Secret Technical Breakout Sessions
- 1200-1400 - ENHANCED POSTER SESSION
Thursday, 19 November
- AM/PM CUI & Secret Technical Breakout Sessions
Friday, 20 November
- AM CUI Technical Breakout Sessions
- Laser Deconfliction Short Course Free to Registered Attendees of the Symposium
- LABORATORY TOUR - Spacecraft Research & Design Center
- 1200 - Symposium Adjourns
A detailed preliminary agenda will be available in mid-October. View the 2025 Systems Symposium AGENDA.
ENHANCED POSTER SESSION
We are excited to announce that this year’s call for abstracts drew more than 300 submissions—an all‑time high in DEPS’ 27‑year history. To ensure these contributions receive the attention they merit and to reduce overlap among technical sessions, we are introducing a special two-hour poster session held with no competing technical talks. During a roving lunch located next to the exhibitor hall, attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with presenters and explore the latest research in an ideal setting for conversation and collaboration. Posters will be grouped by topic, and a detailed map of the layout will be provided to help guide attendees through the space.
Distinguished Member Panel Discussions
From Prototype to Arsenal: Scaling Directed Energy for Production
The Prototype to Arsenal panel brings the key industry and government leaders who are at the tip of the spear in moving Directed Energy weapons into production. The panelists are COL. Shannon Thompson, from PAE Fires, John Garrity, Senior VP of laser weapon development at AeroVironment, John Bergeron, CEO of Attalon and Joseph Spilman, CEO of Optimax. Moderated by Dr. Sean Ross, Fellow and VP of DEPS, the panelists will discuss pacing challenges including manufacturing base, intellectual property, the impact open systems architecture on weapon system design and manufacture and the long-term market outlook for laser weapon systems. Attendees can expect an engaging, forward‑looking conversation that highlights the realities of scaling high‑energy laser technologies for future operational demand.
Directed Energy in the Fight: Operational Employment and Warfare Impact
The Directed Energy in the Fight panel brings together experts in directed energy and military operations to explore how high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves will reshape air defense, force protection, and future warfare. Panelists BG(ret) John Hartke, Ph.D. of OUSW (R&E) SCADE, Mr. Barry Cole of AFRL, Dr. George Che of GTRI, and Mr. Matt McQuage of NSWC Dahlgren, will examine the challenges of moving directed energy beyond technology demonstrations into effective operational employment. Moderated by Dr. Bonnie Johnson, DEPS Board member, the discussion will address critical questions surrounding combat-system integration, command decisions, operational limitations, evolving concepts of operations, and the implications of adversaries employing directed energy themselves. Looking ahead to the next decade, panelists will consider how directed energy could fundamentally change force design, defensive tactics, and the dynamics of future engagements. Attendees can expect a candid, forward-looking discussion focused on what it will take to make directed energy a decisive warfighting capability.
SPACECRAFT RESEARCH AND DESIGN CENTER (SRDC) LABORATORY TOUR
A tour will be held on Friday of the Naval Postgraduate School Laboratory Spacecraft Research and Design Center (SRDC) hosted by Dr. Brij Agrawal, NPS Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering and Director of Spacecraft Research and Design Center. SRDC laboratories are used for instruction and research in space system engineering and space operations curricula.
Meet at the DEPS registration (conference center upper level) at 0830 to walk to the site. Must have base access via CAC or completed SECNAV form. Space is limited. REGISTER HERE.
The emphasis of the SRDC has been on providing students with hands-on experience in the design, analysis, and testing of space systems and systems and to provide students facilities for experimental research. Learn more about the Laboratory here. The tour consisted of three testbeds:
- NPS High Energy Laser Beam Control Research Testbed (HBCRT) - A 30cm diameter telescope, acquisition sensor, and adaptive optics.
- Multi Conjugate Woofer-Tweeter Adaptive Optics Testbed - Consists of three deformable mirror and two wavefront sensor.
- Segmented Mirror Telescope - Consists of six segments, 3 m diameter, with 156 piezo actuators on each segments, 3 fine and 6 coarse actuators on each segments for alignment, FSM, and focal plane.
COMPANIONS
Companions are always welcome at any DEPS meeting. To make their experience enjoyable, we offer optional companion meal packages at an additional cost.
Full Meal Package - includes all meals provided to regular attendees, including any evening events or specialty functions.
Reception-Only Package - includes only admission to the Tuesday evening reception.
Companion tickets will be available for purchase once registration opens, and can be purchased with your symposium registration