Professional Development Short Courses
These short courses were offered on Monday 14 November 2022 in conjunction with the 2022 Directed Energy Systems Symposium.
Continuous Learning Point (CLP) credits were awarded by DEPS for completion of the short courses.
Not all courses were open to all registrants. While all of the classes are unclassified, some have additional participation requirements,
which are defined here and specified in the Classification section of each course description.
See also the Security section,
available here.
- Distribution A - Open, public release. Any registrant may participant.
- Distribution C - Restricted to employees of the U.S. Federal Government or its contractors.
- Distribution D - Restricted to employees of the U.S. Department of Defense or its contractors.
Course 1. Atmospheric Laser Propagation
Classification: CUI, Limited Distribution D
Instructors:
- Steven Fiorino, AFIT
- Jaclyn Schmidt, AFIT
Duration: Half-day course, runs 0800-1200
CLPs awarded: 2 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
- Atmospheric radiative / propagation effects
- 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 a 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.
Jaclyn E. Schmidt received her BS degree in meteorology (2010) from the University of South Alabama, and her professional career is rooted in atmospheric and oceanographic data analysis for DoD and military service support, including NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and the Naval Oceanographic Office. She is currently the Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) POC for the Center for Directed Energy (CDE) at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). Her research interests include numerical weather modeling, aerosol effects on radiative transfer, and enhancements to modeling and simulations tools as they relate to the directed energy and intelligence communities. She is a member of DEPS and AMS.
Course 2. Directed Energy Systems Engineering
Classification: Unclassified, Open Public Release (Dist A)
Instructors:
- Robert M. Newton, USAF, Retired - NCE Inc.
- Dan A. Isbell, USAF, Retired - NCE Inc.
Duration: Half-day course, runs 0800-1200
CLPs 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 Biographies: Bob Newton is an advanced systems developer with nearly 20-year DE experience. Currently he leads a defense technology company in applying his over 35-years of US Air Force and commercial industry experience. Beginning with a technical education in Aerospace Engineering from The Ohio State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, his mission perspective comes from F-16 fighter and special operations. He is an acquisition professional and test pilot with over 4500 hours in over 60 types of aircraft. His specific acquisition related responsibilities involved F-16 performance / flying qualities / avionics / sensors / weapons flight test and airworthiness certification, F-22 program management, Air Force Material Command headquarters, Pentagon Air Staff, and industry. He has commanded flying units and is a veteran of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Dan Isbell brings a broad range of expertise and experience to the defense and technology industry with his 27 years of service in the US Air Force. His insight comes from an educational background that includes a Master's degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, a Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. During his Air Force career he also completed flight school, test pilot school, Senior Acquisition Manager's course, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the professional military service schools.
Dan's formal education and training founded his broad experience in aircraft and weapons airworthiness certification and program management, business development and integration, technology and engineering, fighter aircraft and special operations. His positions include Chief, F-16 Systems Program Office, Commander of 514th Flight Test Squadron, Operations Research Systems Analyst for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Program Analysis & Evaluation, Air Vehicle Program Manager for F/A-22 Systems Program Office, Chief of Weapon System Sector and Technology Integration Lead for Battlefield Air Operations Kit National Team.
Course 3. Originally scheduled course has now been rescheduled for the PM
Classification:
Instructor:
Duration:
CLPs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course 4. Directed Energy Bio-Effects CANCELLED
Classification: CUI, Limited Distribution D
Instructors: To be listed soon
Duration: Half-day course, runs 0800-1200
CLPs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course will present and discuss the effects of optical and radio frequency energy
upon biological systems. With the proliferation of directed energy (DE) sources in the military environment there
is increasing need for understanding DE bioeffects to protecting our troops from incidental or intentional exposure.
We will present the mechanisms through which biology may be affected by DE and the power levels required to produce
effects. This information will be set within a safety, legal, and policy context to illuminate the challenges faced
by DE systems as they navigate the acquisition environment. Topics include:
- Why is the Department of Defense Interested in Directed Energy Bioeffects?
- Laser Bioeffects
- Applications and Considerations
- Modeling Hazards and Assessing Effectiveness
- Mechanisms of Damage for tissues
- Eye Vs. Skin
- Long Exposures
- Moderate Length Exposures
- Short Pulse Exposures
- Special Considerations
- Laser Summary
- RF Bioeffects
- Damage Mechanisms and Modeling
- Dosimetry
- RF Case Studies
Intended Audience: This course is intended for anyone interested in the biological effects of laser and radio
frequency energy. Rigorous scientific directed energy bioeffects information will be presented in a context of safety,
legal, and systems development
Instructor Biographies: TBD
Course 5. HEL Modeling
Classification: CUI, Limited Distribution C
Instructor: Linda Lamberson, LinMar Analytics, LLC.
Duration: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700
CLPs 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: Ms. Linda Lamberson is a career Military Operations Research Analyst with over 35 years of experience in system effectiveness assessment, simulation and modeling, system capability and utility analysis, systems engineering, and development planning for acquisition programs of record. After completing 34 years of service as an Air Force civilian, Ms. Lamberson currently works as an independent consultant in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Ms. Lamberson graduated from the University of West Florida with a BA in applied mathematics and received her MS in Management Science from Troy University. She served as a senior operations research analyst in the Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico from 2004 to 2017. Prior to coming to the Directed Energy Directorate, Ms. Lamberson spent more than 20 years working in systems engineering and acquisition support for the Air Armament Center, Eglin AFB, Florida.
Course 6. Deep-turbulence Limitations
Classification: CUI, Limited Distribution C
Instructor: Dr. Mark Spencer, USINDOPACOM
Duration: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700
CLPs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course will start with a discussion on the lessons
learned from recent experimentation with deployed laser-weapon systems. It
will then discuss the state of the art from an historical perspective,
including a discussion on some of the investments made in power scaling and
beam control. This course will also highlight recent field-test results and
describe performance limitations, which manifest from deep turbulence. In
turn, this course will describe this multifaceted problem in earnest.
Fundamental topics covered:
- Lessons learned from recent deployments
- Past & future concepts including tiled arrays
- Deep-turbulence limitations in terms of the branch-point problem in adaptive optics
- Deep-turbulence limitations in terms of anisoplanatism
- Advanced topics covered:
- Turbulence thermal blooming interaction
- Branch-point-tolerant phase reconstruction
- Compensated beacon adaptive optics
- Imaging through deep turbulence using physics based deep learning
Intended Audience: This course is geared to those with a technical
background who seek an overview on the current state of the art in
laser-weapon systems. Scientists and engineers, as well as technical
managers will benefit from this course.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Mark Spencer is a Senior Physicist at the Air
Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) and an
Adjunct Associate Professor of Optical Sciences and Engineering at the Air
Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), within the Department of Engineering
Physics. As the first-ever liaison from AFRL/RD, he currently serves as the
Directed Energy Staff Specialist at the US Indo-Pacific Command
(USINDOPACOM). Mark received his PhD degree in Optical Sciences and
Engineering from AFIT in 2014. In addition to being a Fellow of SPIE (the
international society for optics and photonics) and a Senior Member of
Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America), he is an active member of
the Directed Energy Professional Society and the Military Sensing Symposia.
Course 7. HPM Effects and Data Collection
Classification: CUI, Limited Distribution C
Instructor: Daniel Guillette and Nicholas Erickson, Air Force Research Laboratory
Duration: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700
CLPs 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: TBD
Course 8. Wargaming
Classification: CUI, Limited Distribution D
Instructor(s): Dr. Garrett Darl Lewis, AFRL Directed Energy Directorate
Duration: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700
CLPs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course will introduce participants to the types and applications of contemporary wargames, provide a history of wargaming, and propose principles on the capabilities and limitations of wargaming based on the evidence provided by that history. It will establish a foundation in the roles, skills, and opportunities associated with wargaming using practical examples and mini exercises. The second part of the course presents an overview of processes used to organize, develop, and execute experimentation wargames for innovative and futuristic concepts, with a particular emphasis on the development, adjudication, and analysis of directed energy concepts. It will explore how different organizations develop games from the tactical to strategic levels to influence and inform next generation warfare, and it will challenge participants to bring their own expertise to bear in identifying the possibilities associated with bringing novel tools to the future force mix.
Intended Audience: The course is designed for junior and senior technical engineers and managers who seek an understanding of experimentation wargaming and its application to support weapon system concept development and transition to the warfighter.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Garrett D. Lewis is the Wargaming Principal Investigator within the Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. In this role, Dr. Lewis leads the directorate's wargaming efforts to promote robust development and employment of next generation directed energy technology. Dr. Lewis incorporates robust modeling, simulation, and analysis techniques to support development of directed energy requirements and doctrine within the laboratory and across Air Force, Joint, and Coalition partners.
Prior to his current position, Dr. Lewis was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Washington University in St. Louis, where he used game theory and machine learning techniques to understand the development of public policy, with a special emphasis on science policy and public health. During his academic career, Dr. Lewis taught classes in public policy, statistics and machine learning, game theory, and molecular biology. He earned his doctorate from Princeton University after completing his Bachelor of Science at the California Institute of Technology.
Course 9. Introduction to Counter DEW
Classification: CUI, Limited Distribution D
Instructors:
- Robert M. Newton, USAF, Retired - NCE Inc.
- Dan A. Isbell, USAF, Retired - NCE Inc.
Duration:Half-day course, runs 1300-1700
CLPs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the field of counter-DEW; specifically this course will discuss the basic scientific aspects of protecting systems from DEW and review technologies available to counter the effects of DEW on various types of systems. Future research directions in counter-DEW technology will also be discussed. This course is intended to be an introduction to the subject and is intended to provide the attendee with a basic understanding of the technologies, issues and solutions surrounding efforts to counter directed energy weapon systems. At the end of the course you should have an understanding of (1) the basic operation & effects of directed energy weapons, (2) material hardening approaches, (3) atmospheric propagation effects & use in countering DEW, (4) operational techniques for counter-DEW, and (5) research directions for counter-DEW.
Topics include:
- Review of DEW
- Sensor Hardening
- Propagation Effects
- Operational Techniques
- Directions in C-DEW
Intended Audience: This course is intended for for engineers, scientists, system analysts, program managers, and military planners. Familiarity with basic optics and physics, such as that found in a two semester university level introductory physics course is beneficial.
Instructor Biographies: Bob Newton is an advanced systems developer with nearly 20-year DE experience. Currently he leads a defense technology company in applying his over 35-years of US Air Force and commercial industry experience. Beginning with a technical education in Aerospace Engineering from The Ohio State University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, his mission perspective comes from F-16 fighter and special operations. He is an acquisition professional and test pilot with over 4500 hours in over 60 types of aircraft. His specific acquisition related responsibilities involved F-16 performance / flying qualities / avionics / sensors / weapons flight test and airworthiness certification, F-22 program management, Air Force Material Command headquarters, Pentagon Air Staff, and industry. He has commanded flying units and is a veteran of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Dan Isbell brings a broad range of expertise and experience to the defense and technology industry with his 27 years of service in the US Air Force. His insight comes from an educational background that includes a Master's degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, a Master's degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology. During his Air Force career he also completed flight school, test pilot school, Senior Acquisition Manager's course, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the professional military service schools.
Dan's formal education and training founded his broad experience in aircraft and weapons airworthiness certification and program management, business development and integration, technology and engineering, fighter aircraft and special operations. His positions include Chief, F-16 Systems Program Office, Commander of 514th Flight Test Squadron, Operations Research Systems Analyst for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Program Analysis & Evaluation, Air Vehicle Program Manager for F/A-22 Systems Program Office, Chief of Weapon System Sector and Technology Integration Lead for Battlefield Air Operations Kit National Team.
| Course Fees |
|
| |
Single Half-day Course
|
Two Half-day Courses
|
| Flat rate |
$300
|
$550
|
Registration
To register for a short course separate from the 2022 DE Systems Symposium, select one of the following options.
If you plan to also register for the Symposium, you may use the Systems
Symposium registration form instead.
- Complete this form to register on-line.
Note that on-line registration does not require on-line payment.
Some organizations have installed web filters that prevent on-line registration
from inside their facilities. If this appears to be true for you, please try again off-site
or use the registration option below.
- Print this registration form (in PDF format) and
follow the instructions provided.
Persons requesting cancellation through 17 October will receive a full refund. Cancellations after
17 October are subject to a $100 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given after 11 November.
Last updated: 15 December 2022
