This short course provides an overview of high energy laser (HEL) weapon systems. The course is
offered by the Center for Directed Energy (CDE)
at the Air Force Institute of Technology. DEPS, with funding
from the HEL Joint Technology Office, sponsored the CDE in development of this short course.
Course Details
A thorough presentation of HEL weapons systems is developed. The course provides
a complete overview of laser weapon systems, including laser devices (chemical, solid state, and free electron),
laser subsystems (power, thermal management, fluid supply), beam control (beam directors, tracking and control,
adaptive optics), atmospheric propagation, targets and lethality, engagement scenarios, and weapon system
performance. The course emphasizes concepts, terminology, current technological capabilities, and systems
concepts. The course does not develop key relationships from first principles. Limitations on the effectiveness
of HEL weapons and key performance trade-offs will be addressed. Application of these concepts to current
systems will include the historical Airborne Laser Laboratory, Airborne Laser, Tactical High Energy Laser,
Advanced Tactical Laser, and Space-Based Laser programs. The effectiveness of HEL weapons on the battlefield
will be simulated using engagement and mission level models. The course includes a number of extended, worked
problems, including a simplified calculation of weapon effectiveness for a high altitude, long range, air-to-air
engagement.
Topics
Course Instructor
Steven Fiorino, Assistant Professor of Atmospheric Physics (BS, MS, Ohio State University; MMOAS, Air Command
and Staff College; BS, PhD, Florida State University). Dr Fiorino’s research experience includes microwave remote
sensing, evaluating uncertainty in high-energy laser engagement due to atmospheric effects, and improving
microphysical characterizations for nuclear fallout, transport, and dispersion.
Course Options
Distance Learning Mode
This mode is mostly asynchronous. The lecture content is prerecorded
and can be viewed at any time at the convenience of the student. Lectures are viewed in a web browser
and can be downloaded from - or streamed over - the internet. (Both delivery modes are made
available, in case a student has problems with one or the other.) More detailed access instructions
will be provided upon registration.
The asynchronous lectures are supplemented by synchronous sessions using a webinar service.
These sessions are designed to give instructors live "face time" with students, for Q-and-A, and for
reinforcing lesson concepts. These meetings also facilitate student-to-student interaction, which is often
a valuable tool in the graduate learning setting. To join these web conferences, students will need an
internet-connected computer and a telephone. These sessions meet for an hour or so; attendance is not mandatory
but highly encouraged. Specific meeting times are determined after students have been polled at the outset
of the course.
Aside from the weekly webinar sessions of 60 - 90 minutes per week, students can set their own schedule
for the course. Nevertheless, students must complete the course within eight weeks.
System requirements include high-speed internet access and a telephone. AFIT uses Microsoft Live Meeting
as its webinar service provider. To join the meeting, ideally a small plug-in is installed on the student's
computer. This is a one-time installation. If this cannot be accomplished, such as for lack of privileges
on the employer's network, the student will still be able to join.
Classroom Mode
The classroom mode is the traditional approach, based on lectures to students who are physically present in
the same room as the instructor. The 32-hour course schedule for the classroom mode
from mid-day Monday through mid-day Friday makes weekend travel unnecessary for most attendees. This course
has been offered in Albuquerque, NM and College Park, MD. It is not currently scheduled.
If you prefer to learn in the classroom mode, let us know by email at
office@deps.org. Please tell us not only that you are interested in a classroom offering of this course,
but also whether you would prefer an East Coast or West Coast location and the best months in the
next year for you to take the course.
This course can also be offered at an organization's facility under contract. This approach can be most economic for
organizations with a dozen or more students. Please contact us at
the email address above to discuss options.