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(Starting 15 November 2010, dates below are dates posted on this page.)
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FERMI@Elettra Achieves First Light, Trieste, Italy, 22 December 2010
The new free-electron laser source FERMI@Elettra produced its first coherent emission on 13-14
December. Over
the coming months, the commissioning team will continue to improve the overall performance of the system and
light will be provided to the first experimental programs.
More.
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Arizona Optics Searches for Dean, Tucson, Arizona, 16 December 2010
The University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences is advertising for Dean of Optical
Sciences. The College has approximately 70 faculty members, 130 undergradute students and 300 graduate students.
More.
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Formica Assumes Command of USASMDC, Huntsville, Alabama, 16 December 2010
Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica assumed command of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/
Army Forces Strategic Command from Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell on 15 December 2010.
More.
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CPI Agrees to be Acquired by Veritas Capital, Palo Alto, California, 7 December 2010
CPI International, Inc. has agreed to be acquired by Veritas Capital Fund IV for $19.50 per share
cash. CPI International, Inc. is the parent company of Communications & Power Industries, Inc., a DEPS Sponsor with
interests in RF DE.
More.
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Sandia DE Researcher Turman Dies, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 3 December 2010
Sandia researcher and DEPS member Dr. Bob Turman passed away on 29 November 2010 in Albuquerque.
A memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church in Albuquerque at 1400 on Sunday, 5 December.
More.
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Rochester Seeking Optics Institute Director, Rochester, New York, 29 November 2010
The Institute of Optics at the University of Rochester is inviting applications for its next
Director. Requirements include a Ph.D. in a suitable field and an outstanding international reputation
in optics with experience in leadership, teaching, and research.
More.
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Hardy Appointed Director of AFRL/RD, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 4 November 2010
Dr. David A. Hardy has been appointed as the director of the Air Force Research Laboratory
Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD). Dr. Hardy, a member of the Senior Executive Service, was formerly associate
director for space technology at AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate.
More.
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Lockheed Martin Awarded HPM Contract, Orlando, Florida, 2 November 2010
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract to define requirements for a high-power microwave (HPM)
weapon to take out electronic systems targets. The contract from the U.S. Air Force Air Armament Center includes
the development of an operations concept and a mission planning strategy. Lockheed Martin is a DEPS Gold Sponsor.
More.
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Thornton Leaves AFRL/RD for ESC, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 25 October 2010
Susan Thornton
will become the director of Engineering and Technical Management, Electronic Systems Command (ESC), Hanscom
Air Force Base, Massachusetts. She has served as director of the Air Force Research Laboratory
Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) at Kirtland since February 2007.
More.
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AFIT CDE Advertises for Research Associates, Dayton, Ohio, 19 October 2010
The Center for Directed Energy at the Air Force Institute of Technology
is seeking Research Associates in Directed Energy. Education requirements include at least
an M.S. degree in physics or an engineering discipline. The research areas include beam control and atmospheric
effects.
More.
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HPM Source Developed, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 14 October 2010
The Air Force Research Laboratory contracted with Farr Research to develop a microwave
pulse compressor system. The pulse compression increases peak power and emulates the pulse from a higher power
microwave system.
More.
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Northrop Grumman Wins RELI, Redondo Beach, California, 28 September 2010
Northrop Grumman has received an initial two-year, $8.8 million contract as a first
step toward developing the next generation of military laser technology for more efficient, lighter, and
smaller systems. Options on the contract could extend it to a five-year contract valued at $53.3 million.
The Robust Electric Laser Initiative
(RELI) program is funded by the High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office in conjunction with the Army Space
and Missile Defense Command, Air Force Research Laboratory, and Office of Naval Research.
Northrop Grumman is a DEPS Gold Sponsor.
More.
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Boeing Wins FEL Lab Demonstrator, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 13 September 2010
The Boeing Company has received a $23-million task order to complete the
design of a 100-kW free electron laser (FEL) laboratory demonstrator at
Los Alamos, New Mexico. Boeing, a DEPS Gold Sponsor, was teamed with
organizations that include SAIC, a DEPS Silver Sponsor, and Advanced
Energy Systems, a DEPS Sponsor.
More.
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Airborne Laser Test Bed Update, Washington, DC, 10 September 2010
An Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) experiment detected and tracked a target during a 1 September
test mission that was aborted by a misalignment of the beam. The cause of the failure was attributed to
corrupted software in a communications system. Another test is planned after repairs and testing are complete.
More.
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CPI - Comtech Merger Cancelled, Palo Alto, California, 7 September 2010
CPI International and Comtech Telecommunications have announced the
termination of their merger agreement. (See 10 May 2010 DE Newsletter
item below.) The termination was by mutual agreement of both parties.
More.
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AFRL Adds HPM Institute, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 31 August 2010
The Office of the Secretary of Defense awarded a High-Power Micorwave (HPM) Institute to
the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base. The Institute will provide
the ability to design HPM weapons virtually, in weeks or months rather than the years-long efforts traditionally
required. The HPM Institute is part of the Department of Defense High Performance Computing Modernization Program.
More.
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Airborne Laser Test Bed Mission Delayed, Washington, DC, 18 August 2010
An Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) mission scheduled for 17 August was postponed due to a problem
with the tracking camera cooling system. The ALTB is expected to be ready by the next opportunity for testing on
21 August. (See also 10 September item above.)
More & More Later.
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ITEA Names Gaidry New Executive Director, Fairfax, Virginia, 29 July 2010
The International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA) Board of Directors
has named James Gaidry as their new Executive Director. Gaidry most recently served as the Executive
Director of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management.
ITEA co-sponsors the Directed Energy Test and Evaluation Conference with DEPS.
More.
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AFOSR Announces HEL MRI Awards, Arlington, Virginia, 23 July 2010
The Air Force Office of Scientific Research has announced the award of $4.2M per year in basic
research grants to eight scientists and engineers at U.S. universities and research institutions.
The awards were based on proposals submitted through the
Multidisciplinary Research Initiative sponsored by the High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office. Topics are
related to lasers and optics.
More.
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Raytheon Announces DE Milestones, Farnborough International Air Show, 21 July 2010
A Raytheon-US Navy team used a high power, solid-state laser combined with a Phalanx
Close-in Weapon System to shoot down four UAVs off San Nicolas Island near California. Once development
is completed the Laser Area Weapon System will give the warfighter a speed-of-light solution for
defeating rockets, mortars, UAVs and other targets. Raytheon is a DEPS Gold Sponsor.
More with videos.
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Flowing DPAL Achieves First Light, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 12 July 2010
Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate has achieved first light from a
flowing diode-pumped alkali laser (DPAL). This configuration enables thermal management to be decoupled from the
lasing cavity, which could be an important step toward a high power system needed for future military
applications.
More.
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Boeing Consolidates DE in NM, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 23 June 2010
The Boeing Company is combining its Airborne Laser Test Bed (ALTB) and other Directed Energy organizations
into a single Directed Energy Systems team based in Albuquerque. Mike Rinn, currently vice president and program
director for ALTB, will lead the new organization. Rich Flanders will replace Rinn as ALTB program director.
Boeing is a DEPS Gold Sponsor.
More.
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NG Receives DARPA Fiber Laser Award, Redondo Beach, California, 22 June 2010
A Northrop Grumman Corporation team has surpassed Phase I goals for the Defense Advanced Research
Projects Aency (DARPA) Revolution in Fiber Lasers program that seeks to mature fiber laser technology. As a result,
the company has received a contract for Phase II. Northrop Grumman, a DEPS Gold Sponsor, leads a team that includes
DEPS Sponsors Nufern and Fraunhofer USA.
More.
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ACE 10 - Directed Energy War Game, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 11 June 2010
The Advanced Concepts Event (ACE), most recently held on 17 May 2010, is the Air Force's
only Distributed Mission Operations experimentation war game designed to demonstrate directed energy
technology concepts for military applications. Participants included Army, Air Force and Navy units in
12 locations around the country. Participating DEPS Sponsors included Northop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, AEGIS, and SAIC.
More.
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LaWS Destroys Target Drone, Washington, DC, 28 May 2010
Two unmanned arial vehicle target drones were engaged and destroyed in a maritime environment during testing for
the U.S. Navy's Laser Weapon System (LaWS) program. This was the first detection through engagement laser shoot-down
of a threat representative target in an over-the-water, combat representative scenario. The test was held on
24 May at San Nicholas Island, California.
More.
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ONR Marks Laser 50th Anniversary, Arlington, Virginia, 10 May 2010
The first successful laser was demonstrated by Theordore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratory
on 16 May 1960. The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is joining the scientific community as it marks the 50th
anniversary of the ground breaking device. ONR has made contributions to laser research and development and
continues to support the development of the free electron laser for Navy applications.
More.
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CPI Acquired by Comtech Telecommunications, Palo Alto, California, 10 May 2010
CPI International has agreed to be acquired by Comtech Telecommunications in a cash and stock
transaction worth approximately $472 million. CPI International is the parent company of Communications & Power Industries, Inc.,
a DEPS Sponsor.
More.
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New Technology Marx Generator, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 7 May 2010
The Solid-State Mini-Marx generator, a lightweight, pulsed-power, miniature device, has been
developed by Physical Optics Corporation working under a Small Business Innovation Research contract issued
by the Air Force Research Laboratory. The technology could impact a number of systems, including directed
energy applications.
More.
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HEL JTO Moves to New Location, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 29 April 2010
The High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office has moved to new quarters in Albuquerque.
Their phone numbers and email addresses have not changed, but the new address is
High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office
801 University Boulevard SE, Suite 209
Albuquerque, NM 87106
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IPG Photonics Extends Laser Welding Solutions, Oxford, Massachusetts, 20 April 2010
IPG Photonics Corporation announced the acquisition of privately-held, Germany-based
Cosytronic KG, a specialist in joining technology with an emphasis on engineering know-how in automated
welding turnkey solutions. The acquisition allows IPG to extend its product offerings to include a
welding tool that integrates seamlessly with IPG's fiber lasers.
More.
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Lincoln Lab Advertises Laser Positions, Lexington, Massachusetts, 12 April 2010
MIT Lincoln Laboratory is advertising employment positions for laser development staff. Five
years or more experience is required in fiber, solid-state, or semiconductor lassers, laser stabilization, high-power
lasers, and beam control. All postiions are located in Lexington, Massacusetts.
More.
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Nufern Acquires Optelecom's EO Business, East Granby, Connecticut, 12 April 2010
Nufern has acquired the Electro-Optics fiber optic gryroscope coil winding business of
Optelecom-NKF and will operate it as part of Nufern initially from the existing facilities in Germantown,
Maryland. Nufern, a subsidiary of ROFIN-SINAR Technologies Inc, is one of the world's leading developers
and manufacturers of high-performance laser beam sources and laser-based solutions.
More.
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Northrop JHPSSL Team Wins Av Week Award, Washington, DC, 18 March 2010
Aviation Week magazine's 2010 Laureate Award in Informaton Technology/Electronics was
awarded to the Northrop Grumman Joint High Power Solid State Laser program team. Honored team members included
Jay Marmo and Stuart McNaught of Northrop Grumman, Mark Neice of the High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office, and
Brian Strickland from U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command.
More from Northrop Grumman
More from SMDC.
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Boeing Completes PDR for Navy FEL, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 18 March 2010
Boeing Company successfully completed the preliminary design of the U.S. Navy's Free
Electron Laser (FEL) weapon system. "The successful completion of this preliminary design review (PDR) is an
important milestone in developing a weapon system that will transform naval warfare," said Gary Fitzmire,
vice president and program director of Boeing Directed Energy Systems.
More.
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AEgis Wins Laser Eye Protection Contract, Huntsville, Alabama, 11 March 2010
AEgis Technologies Microsystems Group has been awarded a Small Business Innovative Research
contract for New Laser Eye Protection Technology for Visors with the United States Air Force. "This technology
offers protection for helicopter pilots, anybody who flies close to the ground and is exposed
to laser threats," said Dr. Milan Buncick, project leader and AEgis Chief Scientist.
More.
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Textron JHPSSL Reaches 100 kW, Wilmington, Massachusetts, 28 February 2010
Textron Defense Systems announced that it has tested its Joint High Power Solid State Laser
(JJHPSSL) laboratory demonstration device at average power levels in excess of 100 kilowatts. The JHPSSL program is
funded by the High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office.
More.
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Northrop JHPSSL Moves to HELSTF, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, 19 February 2010
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command has contracted to relocate the Northrop Grumman
Joint High Power Solid State Laser (JHPSSL) Phase 3 system from California to the Army's High Energy Laser
Systems Test Facility (HELSTF) at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Field testing will begin later this
year.
More.
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Maj Gen Pawlikowski Becomes AFRL Commander, WPAFB, Ohio, 18 February 2010
Major General Ellen Pawlikowski became the new commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory at a
change-of-command ceremony in the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on 12 February. General Pawlikowski served
as head of the Airborne Laser program. Its recent success is documented in the story below.
More.
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Airborne Laser Destroys Target Missile, Pt Mugu, California, 11 February 2010
The Airborne Laser Testbed (ALTB) successfully destroyed a boosting ballistic missile in an experiment
conducted off the California coast. The ALTB is a pathfinder for the nation’s directed energy
program and its potential application for missile defense technology. This was the first directed energy
lethal intercept demonstration against a liquid-fuel boosting ballistic missile target from an airborne platform.
More. Video.
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AMOS Conference Opens Call for Papers, Maui, Hawaii, 9 February 2010
The Call for Papers has opened for the Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies
Conference, the premier conference in the nation devoted to space surveillance. The Conference is
sponsored by the Maui Economic Development Board. Abstracts are due by 20 April.
More.
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Peterkin Named AFRL/RD Chief Scientist, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, 4 February 2010
Dr. Robert Peterkin was recently selected as Chief Scientist for the Air Force Research Laboratory Directed
Energy Directorate. He is the directorate's primary advisor on scientific and technical content
of the Directorate's science and technology portfolio. Peterkin served as the Chair of the 2003 Annual Directed
Energy Symposium.
More.
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IPG Enters Mid-IR by Acquisition, Oxford, Massachusetts, 26 January 2010
IPG Photonics Corporation acquired the outstanding shares of privately-held, Birmingham,
Alabama-based Photonics Innovations, Inc, a maker of active and passive laser materials and tunable lasers.
The acquisition expands IPG's product offerings to the middle infrared.
More.
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Army Requests Information on Lasers, Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, 20 January 2010
The US Army is seeking non-traditional suppliers of products and services through a request for
information (RFI) process managed by InSitech. This announcement is especially aimed at small
businesses that have not contracted extensively with the Department of Defense in the past.
RFI topics include a laser designator.
More.
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Conference Focuses on DE in New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 14 January 2010
Industry experts, government officials, federal and state legislators, economic development
representatives and those working in DE gathered for the first conference on the importance and challenges
of the DE industry in New Mexico. The "Bridging the Gap" conference took place in Albuquerque on 6 January
with over 120 attendees.
More.
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ABL Engages Instrumented Missile Target, Washington, DC, 10 January 2010
The high energy laser on the Airborne Laser (ABL) successfully engaged an instrumented target
missile called MARTI, for Missile Alternative Range Target Instrument. The test demonstrated the full functionality
of the ABL to acquire, track and engage a boosting target. The reference includes a video of the engagement.
More.
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Boeing Laser Demonstrator Program Accepts Oshkosh Military Truck, Huntsville, Alabama, 6 January 2010
Boeing announced today that it has accepted the Oshkosh Defense military truck that will carry a Boeing-built
laser beam control system for the U.S. Army's High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator (HELTD) program.
Boeing received the Oshkosh Heavy Expanded Mobility Truck (HEMTT) on 17 December at the Oshkosh facility in Oshkosh,
Wisconsin.
More.
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Pellegrino Receives Presidential Rank Award, Adelphi, Maryland, 4 January 2010
John Pellegrino, director of the ARL Sensors and Electron Devices Directorate at
the Army Research Laboratory, was selected
to receive the 2009 Presidential Rank Award. Pellegrino is serving as Symposium Chair for the
2010 Annual Directed Energy Symposium in Bethesda, Maryland.
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Bridgewater Named ITEA Interim Executive Director, Fairfax, Virginia, 4 January 2010
ITEA President Rusty Roberts announced Gary Bridgewater as interim executive director, following the
departure of Lori Freeman. Bridgewater will serve until a new executive director is recruited. ITEA sponsors with
DEPS the annual Directed Energy Test and Evaluation Conference.
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Earlier listings in Wave Front: pre-2010.
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