Course 1. Directed Energy 101
Classification: Unclassified, Public Release
Instructor:
- George Harrison
- David Kiel
Duration: Half-day course, starts at 0800
CEUs awarded: 0.35
Course Description: This course provides a general overview of directed energy
weapons, including high energy laser (HEL) and high power microwave (HPM) systems. The
emphasis is on the operationally distinguishing characteristics of systems nearing
deployment. A special feature of the course is the availability of system
simulators for use by the students. The simulators are being provided by AEgis Technologies
Group and by Schafer Corporation. Topics to be covered include:
- Overview of HEL Systems
- Overview of HPM Systems
- HEL Simulation
- HPM Simulation
Intended Audience: This course is intended for students without a technical
background as an introduction to the operational characteristics of HEL and HPM systems.
Instructor Biographies: George Harrison is Director, Strategic Initiatives, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta,
Georgia. Before his retirement from the U.S. Air Force in July 1997 as a Major General, he was
Commander, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
George began his Air Force career as an F-4 pilot at MacDill AFB, Florida in 1962. Since then,
he has flown combat in the O-1F from DaNang AB, Republic of Vietnam (RVN), and the F-4 from
Cam Rahn Bay AB, RVN and Udorn Royal Thai AFB. In later years, he flew combat missions in
the F-16C over Iraq (Provide Comfort), the C-130E, E-3A and E-8C over and into Bosnia (Deny
Flight and Joint Endeavor) and the E-3B over Iraq (Desert Storm). He commanded the 4485th Test
Squadron, the 479th Tactical Training Wing, the USAF Air Warfare Center, Joint Task Force
Southwest Asia and served as the Director of Operations for U.S. Air Forces in Europe.
George is an active civil aviator and is an FAA instructor in single and multiengine
airplanes, instruments and gliders. His first solo was as a teenager in the Piper J-3
and now has logged over 7400 hours in 97 types of civil and military aircraft, including
530 hours in combat. An Airline Transport Pilot, he is experienced in conventional and
tailwheel aircraft, and gliders and is type-rated in the Boeing 707/720, Lear Jet, and T-33.
Capt. Kiel entered the Navy in 1982 through the NROTC program at the University of Colorado where he earned a
BA degree in Economics and Computer Science. Following commissioning, he attended the Surface Warfare Officers School
(Basic) in Coronado before being assigned to USS LYNDE MCCORMACK (DDG 8) as Communications Officer and First Lieutenant.
He then served on board USS JOUETT (CG 29) as Ordnance Officer. After his initial sea tours, Capt. Kiel attended the
Naval Post Graduate School and earned an MS in Physics, specializing in lasers and electro-optics. During graduate school,
he was selected for lateral transfer to the Engineering Duty Officer (EDO) Community. Following his post graduate work,
his first tour as an EDO was at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division, in Dahlgren, Virginia where he
led a research effort in countering missile guidance systems using solid state high power microwave devices. In 1994,
Capt Kiel returned to sea duty as Combat Systems Officer in USS SAIPAN (LHA 2), participating in a complex overhaul
prior to subsequent workups for JTFEX 96 and a Mediterranean deployment. He then joined the staff of Commander,
Naval Surface Forces Atlantic as the Force Weapons Officer. At SURFLANT he was responsible for maintenance of all
the Atlantic Fleet’s surface weapon systems and the execution of the Fleet Modernization Program for the Atlantic Fleet.
In 1998, he transferred to Washington, DC where he served as the Associate Program Manager for the research, development
and acquisition of the AN/SLY-2, the future surface ship electronic warfare system. In 2002, Kiel transferred to the
Chief of Naval Operations staff as an Action Officer. He was responsible for SUPSHIP budgeting, Fleet Readiness Metrics,
and the Fleet Modernization Program. His next tour was to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces earning
a Masters in National Security Strategy. Following graduation he transferred to the Naval Sea Systems Command to
run the Warfare Analysis and POM Integration Division. He is currently the Program Manager for Directed Energy and
Electric Weapon Systems, PMS 405. Capt. Kiel has participated in deployments to the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean,
Western and Eastern Pacific and Mediterranean Sea. Capt. Kiel’s awards include various personal and campaign medals
and ribbons.
Course 2. Systems Engineering and HEL Programs
Classification: Unclassified, Public Release
Instructor: Bill Decker
Duration: Half-day course, starts at 0800
CEUs awarded: 0.35
Course Description: This course is designed to provide a better understanding the DoD
Systems Engineering Process and align HEL programs to it, to increase their likelihood of fielding
to the Warfighter. At the end of the course, attendees will be better able to direct their programs
such that they are consistent with the DoD SE processes and can integrate smoothly with existing and
future DoD weapons systems. The course will cover the DoD Systems Engineering Process throughout the
Lifecycle. Topics include:
- SE and Requirements/User Interaction
- Systems Architecture and its application to DE Systems
- Systems Engineering in the Technology Demonstration Phase
- Government Role (S&T and Acquisition Staffs)
- Contractor Role
- For Systems and Sub-systems
- SE at the Preliminary Design Review/Milestone B
- SE at the Critical Design Review
- Testing and SE
- Sustainment and SE
Intended Audience: Program managers and engineers involved in the development
of directed energy technology and/or directed energy systems. No specific technical expertise is
required as a pre-requisite, just a general understanding of DE systems.
Instructor Biography: Mr. Decker’s 38 year career includes active duty, industry,
university and now DAU experience. He received a BS in Engineering from Cornell University and
a MS in Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School and performed additional graduate work at the
University of Arizona Optical Sciences Center. Mr. Decker’s Army 20 year Army career included
assignments as Test Officer for Electro-Optics Test; Assistant Professor of Physics at the US
Military Academy and Research and Development Coordinator at the Army’s Night Vision and
Electro-Optics Center. After retirement from the Army, he spent three years with ITT Night
Vision as the Manager of Advanced Technology Programs and eleven years with Brashear, a
Division of L-3 Communications where he was a program manager, product line manager and
business developer, extensively involved in DE programs.
Course 3. Free Space Laser Communications
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C
Instructor: Arun Majumdar
Duration: Half-day course, starts at 0800
CEUs awarded: 0.35
Course Description: This course introduces the fundamental concepts involved in
understanding free-space laser communication system design and performance. Concepts for system
and subsystem design using commercially available laser, opto-electronic components, and fast
detectors will be developed. Starting from a basic treatment of the effects of atmospheric
turbulence and scattering media on high-data-rate laser signals, we discuss how to analyze
overall link budget performance including the effects of the atmospheric channel. SNR and
BER in presence of atmospheric turbulence will be discussed with some examples of Terrestrial
(Horizontal Link), Uplink and Downlink communication channels. Mitigating atmospheric turbulence
effects for improving communications performance will also be described. Topics include:
- Introduction
- Major sub-systems for laser communications systems and Link Analysis
- Optical Signal Detection
- Atmospheric Channel Effects
- Basic Free-Space Laser Communications System
- Free-Space Laser Communications Systems Performance
- Mitigating Turbulence Effects
- Summary: Improvement of Lasercom Performance
Intended Audience: This class is intended for engineers, scientists, technicians,
managers, and students who need to understand the basic principles of free-space laser
communication system design and performance. An undergraduate education in science and
engineering is assumed.
Instructor Biography: Arun K. Majumdar has a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the
University of California at Irvine, and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of
Texas at Austin. At present, he is Director of Optical Beam Control and Atmospheric Propagation,
Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, California. His previous significant
professional experience includes: University of Colorado (Full Professor, Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science Dept.), Senior Research Scientist at Optical Physics Company, InnoSense, LLC,
Quantum Digital Solutions, Inc., Opto-Knowledge Systems, Inc., Adaptive Computation Company, Physical
Optics Corporation, Particle Measuring Systems, Inc., Lockheed-California Company , NIST (Visiting
Professor), and Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, MIT Lincoln Laboratory (Staff Member). He has
published more than 50 journal and conference papers and technical reports. Dr. Majumdar was a Chapter
Chairman of the IEEE Laser/Electro-Optics Society, Denver Section and a member of the Publication
Committee of the Optical Society of America. In the past he has offered a short course on Free-Space
Laser Communications at SPIE conferences for four years and has published a book on that subject:
"Free-Space laser Communications: Principles and Advances", Arun K. Majumdar and Jennifer C. Ricklin,
Springer, New York, 2008.
Course 4. RF Directed Energy Effects
Classification: Secret
Instructors:
- John Tatum, ARL
- Timothy Clarke, AFRL/RDHE
Duration: Half-day course, starts at 0800
CEUs awarded: 0.35
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 . Finally we will describe some RF effects models and how they can be used to estimate
probability of target effect, and produce predictions for military engagements. 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 Biographies: John T. Tatum is an electronics engineer with the Army Research
Laboratory (ARL) in Adelphi, Md. He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the
University of Maryland and has done graduate work in the areas of Radar and Communications. He is a
senior level engineer in the Directed Energy Division where he directs and participates in RF effects
investigations on military and commercial electronic systems. Mr. Tatum is a fellow of the Directed
Energy Professional Society and currently the co chair of the RF DE sub group of the Joint Technical
Coordinating Group on Munitions Effectiveness. He has published several papers on RF susceptibility
assessment methodology, system effects investigations and effects data bases for both DoD and IEEE
conferences. He can be contracted at (301) 394-3012 or DSN 290-3012.
Dr Clarke is currently Team Leader for High Power Microwave Engagement Modeling and Simulation
at the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate, where he works in the area of
RF effects as well as various aspects of modeling and simulation. He has worked in this field since
2001, and has given several previous DEPS HPM short courses. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics
and a PhD in Applied Mathematics, both from Cambridge University.
Course 5. Introduction to Beam Control
Classification: Unclassified, Public Release
Instructor: Paul Merritt
Duration: Full-day course, starts at 0800
CEUs awarded: 0.7
Course Description: The course is an overview of the technology
and analysis needed to understand and design the beam control systems that
accomplish acquisition, pointing, and tracking for a laser system. The
system could be communications, imaging, or laser deposition, and the
technology would still be very similar. The course also includes
introductory lectures on control theory, as well as the performance
equations that describe propagation of a laser beam to target. The
attendees will be given the basic equations necessary to describe beam
control system performance. The course will also include an introduction
to adaptive optics beam control systems and a look at future beam control
systems for fiber optics. Topics to be covered include:
- System performance equations
- Beam control hardware
- Controls basics
- Gimbals
- Tracking
- Adaptive optics control
- Fiber optics beam control
Intended Audience: The students will obtain an overall
understanding of the analysis needed to describe, design, and evaluate a
beam control system. The course assumes that the attendee has a basic
undergraduate level of engineering and mathematics. The solution of
differential equations is used to describe the operation of control
systems. Both technical persons and managers should benefit from the
development and discussions regarding the operation of beam control
systems. Technicians may find the course too analytical. The author has
included references at the end of each section such that a student in the
area may delve much deeper into the material if desired. No experience in
the field is required; however, some experience will be helpful since the
topics are covered rapidly.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Merritt started working on laser
systems in 1974 on the Airborne Laser Laboratory. Also in 1974, he
received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New
Mexico. He worked in civil service for several of the Kirtland laser
organizations including the Weapons Laboratory, Phillips Laboratory, and
Air Force Research Laboratory. His last civil service assignment was the
Technical Advisor for the Airborne Laser Technology Division. He retired
from the government in 1997 and went to work for Boeing-SVS in Albuquerque
where he continued to analyze beam control systems. He was a Boeing Senior
Technical Fellow. He retired from Boeing in 2003 and is now working for
the University of New Mexico. He is teaching a controls class at the
University and is a part time consultant with RDTA at the Air Force
Research Lab.
Course 6. Laser Effects: From Initial Planning to Field Test
Classification: Limited Distribution C
Instructors:
- Nicholas J. Morley
- Javon Evanoff
- Chuck LaMar
- Peter Wick
- Jake Sames
Duration: Full-day course, starts at 0800
CEUs awarded: 0.7
Course Description: Developing requirements or understanding the performance
of a High Energy Laser (HEL) system requires knowledge of laser effects on the targets of
interest. This one-day course will provide an overview of laser effects research methods
on materials and systems with specific examples of High Explosive targets (artillery shells,
rockets, mortars, etc) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. In addition, this course will describe
the laser-material phenomenology necessary for HEL system engineers to conduct more informed
trade-off studies to develop effective HEL systems. Laser effects impact numerous HEL design
considerations including power, beam quality, tracking and pointing, fire-control and battle
damage assessment.
The instructors designed this course to provide a Joint Army, Navy, Air Force perspective
on producing quality effects and target vulnerability data. At the completion of the tutorial,
each student will have a basic knowledge and practical guidance for planning, executing, and
reporting laser lethality tests. Topics include:
- Motivation - the relationship between laser effects and HEL-system sizing (Joint)
- Basic measurements techniques (with emphasis on maintaining NIST traceable calibration
and IR camera techniques) (Navy/Air Force)
- Identifying requirements, uncertainties and uncertainty allocations (Air Force)
- A review of common laser-material interactions and response (Air Force)
- Specific examples associated with laser testing of high-energy explosive (Army)
- Specific examples associated with Field testing including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Navy)
- Transforming laser effects data for modeling use and Vulnerability Module (VM) Standards (Air Force)
Intended Audience: This course will benefit both researchers who desire an overview of
the many steps in robust laser-effects program and system engineers responsible for designing HEL
systems. Managers seeking to better understand how to balance their portfolio between hardware
development and laser-effects studies will also benefit through an increased understanding of how
laser-effect phenomenology effects hardware development decisions.
Instructor Biographies: Dr. Nicholas Morley received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in
Nuclear Engineering from the University of New Mexico in 1988, 1991, and 1993, respectively. He has
been an employee of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Directed Energy Directorate located at
Kirtland AFB, NM, from 1994 to the present. He is currently the Branch Chief for the Laser Effects
Research Branch where his responsibilities include directing research efforts in the following areas:
general target effects; target construction, heat transfer and fluid dynamics for lasers, aircraft
cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles, and ICBMs; laser effects on fuels and explosives; degradation
of optical components; and temperature-dependent optical scattering. Dr. Morley is a senior member of
the AIAA and a member of DEPS. His technical areas of interest include the following: high energy
laser interaction with materials; laser ablation; conductive, convective, radiative, and two-phase heat
transfer; laser coupling; and optical scattering; dynamic energy conversion systems.
Mr. Evanoff is a program manager with over 20 years experience in laser weapon-effects research.
His knowledge covers numerous analytical and experimental aspects of vulnerability, survivability and
lethality research. He has made significant contributions to numerous HEL programs including the
Airborne Laser, HEL Joint Technology Office Lethality Technical Area Working Group, Multifunction
Electro-Optics for Defense of US Aircraft, Space-Based Laser, Ground-Based Laser Technology and
Lethality & Target Hardening programs.
Mr. Chuck LaMar has over twenty years of experience with
High Energy Lasers (HEL). In addition, Mr.
LaMar has over 2000 flying hours in U.S. Air Force combat aircraft and extensive experience
in military operational environments. He has been actively investigating the interaction of
HEL with energetic materials extensively in support of the U.S. Army's counter ram mission.
Mr. LaMar currently leads the U.S. Army High Energy Laser Lethality program and is the recent
chairman and current Army representative on the Joint Technology Office tri-service
Lethality working group. He has written over 50 professional papers and publications in the
field of HEL.
D. Jason (Jake) Sames has been actively involved with directed energy
applications for the Navy since joining the Penn State Electro-Optics Center
in 2002. Mr. Sames is currently the Principle Investigator of Penn State’s
activities supporting the Navy’s Laser Weapon System, or LaWS. This program,
being managed through NAVSEA PMS405 and executed through the Naval Surface
Warfare Center - Dahlgren Division, is developing a prototype laser weapon
using non-coherently combined kilowatt fiber lasers through a common beam
director. Penn State has worked closely with NSWC Dahlgren to develop the
high-power optical systems and diagnostics that ultimately led to the successful
UAV shoot-down at China Lake in early 2009. Prior to the LaWS program, Mr.
Sames was the principle investigator for field tests to demonstrate the utility
of commercial fiber lasers against asymmetric naval threats, such as jetski’s and
small boats. Mr. Sames earned a BS in 1991 and MS in 1998 in Electrical Engineering,
both from Penn State, and has worked in a wide array of laser applications, ranging
from spectroscopy to surface coating removal to fiber-optic component development for telecom.
Course 7. Laser-Induced Sensor Effects
Classification: Secret
Instructor: Joel Davis
Duration: Full-day course, starts at 0800
CEUs awarded: 0.7
Course Description: This course will provide a broad review of temporary
and permanent laser effects on sensors, including temporary effects (blooming, veiling
glare, electronic effects) and permament effects (in-band and out-of-band damage).
In addition to the phenomenology and morphology of these effects, the course will
cover published models for such effects, and sources of published data. Finally,
the course will cover guidelines for testing and organizations engaged in such testing.
Topics include:
- Introduction and Background; DoD directions
- EO/IR Seeker/Sensor Systems: Performance Evaluation
- Laser Sensor Countermeasure Concepts
- Non-Destructive Optical and Electronic Effects: Jamming and Spoofing
- Permanent In-Band and Out-of-Band Effects
- Predicting Laser Countermeasure Performance
- Laser Countermeasures for Sensors
- Technology Developments
Intended Audience: The course will be useful to managers who need a solid
background to evaluate and plan laser countermeasure and counter-countermeasure programs,
and to scientists and analysts new to the field who need a basic understanding of the
phenomenologies, measurement techniques, and community models and test data available.
Instructor Biography: Mr. Joel S. Davis is Chief Scientist of the Systems
Engineering Solutions (SES) Group at Ball Aerospace. He has a B.S. in physics from MIT
and an M.S. in Astro-Geophysics from the University of Colorado. He has worked in the
aerospace arena for more than 30 years. Much of his current work supports the AFRL
Directed Energy Test and Analysis organizations, and the USAF Satellite Assessment Center.
He has built numerous computer models/simulations and data bases and engaged in analysis
efforts related to EO/IR sensor and laser system effectiveness; EO/IR sensor susceptibility
to laser-induced effects; meteorological characterization; EO/IR-specific climatologies;
test measurement requirements; laser-material effects; laser-sensor effects; laser weapon
engagement sensitivities and laser predictive avoidance methodology development for both
direct and glint-related laser predictive avoidance. As Chief Scientist for Ball SES, he
also oversees its Internal Research and Development program.
Course 8. Quantum Key Distribution (cancelled)
Classification: Unclassified, Public Release
Instructor: Richard Hughes
Duration: Half-day course, starts at 1300
CEUs awarded: 0.35
Course Description: Following their 1984 invention of quantum key distribution (QKD),
Bennett and Brassard and colleagues performed a proof-of-principle QKD transmission over a 32-cm
air path in 1991. This seminal experiment led other researchers to explore implementations of QKD
in optical fibers and over line-of-sight outdoor atmospheric paths ("free-space"), resulting in
dramatic increases in range, secret bit rate, security and availability. These advances have led
to, and been enabled by, improvements in sources, single-photon detectors and the deeper understanding
of QKD security with practical sources and detectors in the presence of transmission loss and channel
noise. Today, QKD has been implemented with unconditional security over ranges greater than 100km,
over multi-kilometer distances in high background environments in both fiber and free-space, and at
high (GHz) clock rates over shorter distances.
In this course we will review the key enabling advances underlying these developments of experimental
optical fiber and free-space QKD over the past 19 years, describe the present status of the field, and
compare and contrast different approaches to implementing security against photon number splitting attacks.
We will describe some recent results from QKD in dedicated ("dark") optical fiber using ultra-high efficiency,
low-noise transition edge sensor (TES) photo-detectors, achieving ultra-long transmission distances, and
unconditional security over 107km through the use of a decoy-state protocol. We will also describe
progress in making QKD compatible with all-optical fiber networks, including the co-existence of QKD
signals with conventional optical data on the same fiber. We will conclude with a survey of the prospects
for QKD transmission distances exceeding 200km, which will include a comparison of the various
single-photon detector technologies now becoming available for quantum communications.
Intended Audience:This course is suitable for anyone with a technical interest in quantum communications
and quantum computation.
Instructor Biography: Richard J. Hughes is a Laboratory Fellow in the Physics Division at Los Alamos
National Laboratory. He is the co-principal investigator of projects in both free-space and optical fiber
quantum key distribution and holds two US patents in these areas. He obtained his Ph.D. in theoretical elementary
particle physics from the University of Liverpool, England in 1978 and has held research positions at Oxford University
and The Queen's College, Oxford; California Institute of Technology; and CERN, Geneva, Switzerland. He has held
distinguished visiting scientist positions at Oxford Univeristy (Dr. Lee Fellow, Christ Church, 1994) and at the
University of Oslo, Norway (1993). In 1996, 1998, and 2006, he was awarded Los Alamos Distinguished Performance
Awards for his work on quantum information science. He became a Fellow of the American Physical Society in 1999.
In 2001 he was co-winner of the R&D100 Award for "Free-space quantum cryptography". In 2004 he and the Los Alamos
Quantum Key Distribution Team were co-winners of the European Union's Decartes Prize. He has authored over 140
scientific papers on quantum field theory, the foundations of quantum mechanics, quantum cryptography and quantum
computation.
Course 9. HELSEEM: HEL Engagement Simulations in a Component-based Framework
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C
Instructors: Robin Ritter, Tau Technologies
- Robin Ritter, Tau Technologies
- Aaron Birenboim, Tau Technologies
- Alan Andrews, Tau Technologies
Duration: Half-day course, starts at 1300
CEUs awarded: 0.35
Course Description: HELSEEM (High-Energy Laser System End-to-End Model) is a message-passing framework
applied to HEL system engagement simulations being developed under funding from the Joint Technology Office. HELSEEM
allows component models from various sources to work together to simulate system level, 1-on-1 or 1-on-n HEL engagements.
Current applications include kill-chain timeline analysis, radiometric target rendering, and aimpoint selection with
target response. Students will learn the basics of using and applying HELSEEM to industry HEL problems. Typical
problems investigated in this ½ day course include airborne and ground-based laser scenario models, how to set up
the simulation, how to run the simulation, and how to use/interpret the outputs. At the end of this class, the
student will have a basic knowledge of how HELSEEM works, the fidelity of the various components, and how to run
HELSEEM and interpret the results.
Intended Audience: The intended audience is engineers in the HEL M&S field with a basic understanding of
modeling and simulation concepts. Students will learn how to set up and run laser system simulations and how to
interpret and use the resulting outputs. A background in HEL modeling an simulation is helpful but not necessary.
Students that wish to bring a laptop may install the software and follow along with the examples. No experience in
the field is required; however, some experience will be helpful since the topics are covered rapidly.
Instructor Biography: Mr. Ritter received his B.S.M.E. from UC Davis in 1997, and his M.S.M.E. from M.I.T.
in 1999. After working in the advanced technology division of Allied Signals Engines and Systems in Phoenix, Robin
joined Northrop Grumman in Albuquerque. At NG he was responsible for the rehosting of TASAT (Time-domain Analysis
and Simulation for Advanced Tracking) from MatrixX to Simulink, and was a primary developer of new functionality for TASAT.
He was the principal investigator for the Joint Technology Office’s M&S project HELSEEM since its initial delivery in 2004.
In 2005 Robin co-founded Tau Technologies, a small company focused on HEL modeling and simulation, where he continues to
support various HEL M&S projects. Tau Technologies currently develops and maintains HELSEEM, which is Government-owned
software.
Mr. Birenboim earned his B.S.E.E. from the University of Southern California in 1989, and his M.S. in Digital Signal
Processing from Georgia Tech in 1990. Mr. Birenboim was a software developer and systems analyst for ATA working primarily
for HABE and HELSTF where he also performed work on Heterodyne ladar data analysis and adaptive optics systems. After
working as an independent contractor for HELSTF, Blue Spike (steganography), and Boeing-SVS as a software developer,
Aaron joined Northrop Grumman, where he developed the JMPS/HELSEEM simulation framework for JTO, assisted in the
development of tracking algorithms, ABL beam quality analysis, and implemented several Wave Optics Propagation codes.
In November of 2005, Mr. Birenboim joined Tau Technologies and has since been involved on BRDF modeling, data fusion,
and optimal target aimpoint selection projects.
Course 10. HEL Phased Array Technologies and Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C
Instructors:
- Kevin Probst
- Paul McManamon
Duration: Half-day course, starts at 1300
CEUs awarded: 0.35
Course Description: This course is designed as an introduction to the technologies and systems employed
in phased array HEL concepts. The course will cover all major aspects of HEL phased arrays including the theoretical
basis for optical phased arrays, phased array beam propagation and beam combining, non-mechanical phased array beam
steering, adaptive optics as applied to phased arrays, and modeling of phased array systems. Phased array technologies
that will be covered will include: beam phasing, beam transport in fibers, phased array imaging techniques, optical
isolation for transmit and imaging, beam steering, fiber laser sources, acquisition, tracking and pointing (ATP),
and phased array fire control.
The course will also review phased array system concepts for various missions. This will include a generic phased
array system architecture, an Advanced Tactical Laser (ATL) concept, and a UAV based concept. The system discussion
will also cover estimating weight and volume for phased array systems. The final topic will be the future of phased
array systems for military applications. Topics to be covered include:
- Overview of Phased Arrays
- Phased Array Theory
- Phased Array Propagation
- Non-mechanical Beam Steering (PAPA)
- Phased Array Adaptive Optics
- Phased Array HEL Performance Modeling
- Phased Array Technologies Pt. 1
- Phasing
- Beam Transport
- Imaging
- Isolation
- Steering
- Sources
- ATP
- Fire Control
- Phased Array Subsystems
- Laser Sources
- Beam Transport and Phasing
- Beam Director
- Power
- Thermal
- Phased Array Systems and Applications
- Generic System Architecture
- ATL Concept
- UAV Concept
- HELF Concept
- Estimating System Weight and Volume
- Phased Array Future
Intended Audience: Students involved in developing phased array HEL technologies or systems will benefit
from this course. Those involved in developing beam steering, phasing, imaging, or ATP technologies for HEL phased
arrays will develop a broad understanding of requirements, and system needs. Those students involved in developing
phased array HEL systems will benefit from an understanding of the system architecture, the current concepts, and
system level requirements and limitations. Additionally, those involved in planning for future HEL systems will
benefit through a working knowledge of the technologies, systems, and missions that will drive future phased array systems.
Instructor Biographies: Kevin Probst is the president and founder of The CORE Group, a small, independent
defense consulting firm. He has an undergraduate degree is in Physics from the US Air Force Academy, and a Masters
in Physics from Ohio State University. Mr. Probst has spent over seven years in phased array research, modeling,
analysis, and concept development. He is a former Project Pilot for the Airborne Laser Lab (ALL) project, and
early in his career worked at the Charles Stark Draper Labs on beam control and tracking for HEL systems, laser
propagation and thermal blooming modeling, and lab based propagation simulations. In subsequent years Mr. Probst
supported the Air Force Weapons Lab Beam Control Division on the PHASAR and Multi-mirror Telescope (MMT) projects,
and the LEAPS Division on HEL systems modeling and simulation, prior to joining the Strategic Defense Initiative
Office (SDIO) in 1987 where he served as the head of the Acquisition, Tracking and Pointing and Fire Control
(ATP/FC) division in the Directed Energy Office. In this role he was responsible for programs such as SPICE,
SAVI, R2P2, Starlab, and the Common Module Tracker. Mr. Probst also served as Chief Scientist on the Zenith
Star Space Based Laser program. After leaving SDI in 1990, Kevin founded The CORE Group, where he has worked
on numerous DEW problems and systems. He has been developing target identification and classification systems
for the MDA. For AFRL and DARPA he has primarily worked on Phased Array beam control under programs such as
Steered Agile Beam (STAB), Phased Array of Phased Arrays (PAPA), the JTO HIPOP/HIPAT projects, the AFRL/RY Phased
Array Aperture Study, and the DARPA Adaptive Photonic Phase Locked Elements (APPLE) program. He also served on
the initial Beam Control Technology Area Working Group (TAWG) for JTO, and at the DDR&E Directed Energy Group
for a year as a Reservist. Kevin is a retired Air Force officer, and has also completed his course work toward
a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at UNM.
Dr. Paul F. McManamon is an independent consultant and works half time as the Technical Director of the Ladar
and Optical Communications institute, LOCI, at the University of Dayton. Until May of 2008 he was Chief Scientist
for the Sensors Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, Ohio. The Sensors Directorate consists of about 1250 people responsible for developing new sensor technology
for the Air Force. Dr McManamon was responsible for the technical portfolio of the Sensors directorate, including
RF sensors and countermeasures, EO sensors and countermeasures, and automatic object recognition. He has developed
multi-discriminate electro-optical sensors, including multifunction laser radar, novel electro-optical
countermeasure systems, and optical phased-array beam steering. Dr McManamon has participated in three Air
Force Scientific Advisory Board summer studies, New World Vistas in 1995, A Roadmap for a 21st Century Aerospace
Force in 1998, and Sensors for Difficult Targets in 2001. Dr McManamon has been very involved in many substantial
DARPA efforts, including STAB and APPLE. Dr McManamon initially proposed the Hi-POP effort funded by JTO. Dr
McManamon was instrumental in the development of laser flash imaging, initiating the ERASER program as a method
to enhance our EO target recognition range by a factor of 4 or 5. Dr. McManamon is widely recognized in the
electro-optical community as the “father” of phased arrays of phased arrays (PAPA) technology. Dr McManamon
was the 2006 President of SPIE. SPIE has more than 17,500 members world wide, and had more than 45,000 people
attend its meetings in 2006. He was on the SPIE board of directors for 7 years and on the SPIE Executive Committee
from 2003 through 2007. Dr. McManamon serves on the executive committee for the Military Sensing Symposia (MSS).
Dr McManamon received the WRG Baker award from the IEEE in 1998. The WRG Baker award is awarded for the best
paper in ANY refereed IEEE journal or publication. Dr McManamon is a Fellow of SPIE, IEEE, and OSA, the Air
Force Research Laboratory, and the Military Sensing Symposia. He is currently Vice chairman of a national
Academy of Sciences Study on Detector Technology
Course 11. Scalable Bioeffects
Classification: Secret
Instructors:
- Jill McQuade
- Justin Zohner
Duration: Half-day course, starts at 1300
CEUs awarded: 0.35
Course Description: This course has three main objectives. The
first objective is to give participants a brief overview of laser and RF
bioeffects. The second objective is to continue with more in depth
analysis of research done on specific programs that probe the usefulness
of directed energy to cause scalable biological effects. The third
objective is to foster open discussion of system analysis, user
requirements and expectations, and feasibility of such systems. The target
audience is anyone involved in or interested in designing, implementing,
or using these systems.
Intended Audience: This course is suitable for anyone with an
interest in this area. The course will cover basics of RF and laser
bioeffects so interested parties should be able to comprehend the material
without prior knowledge in this area.
Instructor Biographies: Jill McQuade received her doctorate in
Neuroscience from the University of Cincinnati in 2002. She has been
working with the AFRL Directed Energy Bioeffects Division, Radiofrequency
Radiation Branch since 2003 as a Research Physiologist. During that time,
she has worked on projects involving the effects of RF energy on the
blood-brain barrier, the Active Denial System, and bioeffects of terahertz
radiation.
Justin Zohner received his B.S. in Physics from Fort Hays State
University in 2002 and his M.S. in Physics from the University of
Nebraska-Lincoln in 2004. He has been working with the AFRL Directed
Energy Bioeffects Division, Optical Radiation Branch since 2006 as a
Research Physicist. He has worked laser-tissue interaction research,
laser safety analysis for ATL and ABL, and instrumentation of collateral
effects data for HEL testing. Prior to that, he was an Optical Engineer
with Northrop Grumman.
