The 2026 DE Test & Evaluation Joint Conference on T&E Support to Prototyping and Experimentation will focus on
"Rapid Development and Deployment of Directed Energy Technology".
Albuquerque Skyline
This joint DEPS/ITEA conference leverages the DoD vision setforth in the
DoD Prototyping Guidebook and
the recent significant increases in prototyping and experimentation efforts to explore the role of
T&E in prototyping, experimentation and other developmental activities.
Key plenary speakers, panel discussions, and technical sessions will work together to identify challenges, solutions,
innovations and a future state; all contributing to moving us closer to the creation of an infrastructure
and principles conducive to testing and training in a more operationally realistic environment.
This event is jointly sponsored by DEPS and the International Test & Evaluation Association.
Conference Highlights
Esteemed Speakers
Technical Breakout Sessions at Open, CUI and Classified levels
Exhibit Hall
Professional Development Short Courses and Tutorials
STEAMhack Challenge featuring teams from area High Schools
Esteemed Speakers
Timothy Anthony Directed Energy Technical Director PEO IWS 11 Link to Bio
Chris Behre Director (Acting), JDETIM OUSW (R&E) Link to Bio
Jim Gillies Director, Aircraft Carrier Requirements CNAL N82 Link to Bio
Kelly Hammett Director & Program Executive Officer Space RCO Link to Bio
Erin Pettyjohn Information & Spectrum Warfare Director AFRL
Tour of AV Facility's LOCUST Site
DEPS has arranged guided tours of the AV facility, where the LOCUST Laser Weapon System (LWS) is manufactured and tested.
This visit offers attendees a firsthand look at the end-to-end lifecycle of a directed energy system - including component integration, system
assembly, and validation processes.
Participants will be able to observe key stages of production and testing, gaining insight into performance verification and operational
readiness considerations unique to high-energy laser systems.
Designed to complement the technical sessions, the tour provides practical exposure to how advanced LWS capabilities are developed,
refined, and prepared for deployment.
Date: Two Tours on May 18 at 0900 or 1400
Location: AV DE facilities: 1300 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
No transportation provided, approx. 15 min drive to location
Tour duration: 30-60 minutes
Hosted by: Patchen Toser-Whitty, AV, Optical Engineer III, a key contributor to the design, build, testing, deployment, and sustainment of AV's
LOCUST systems.
Register for the tour when you complete your online registration or email Cynnamon Spain to get on the list.
Note the tour is for U.S. Citizens Only
Training Simulation on AV's LOCUST LWS
The hands-on training simulation will focus on the operation and tactical employment of AV's LOCUST Laser Weapon Systems (LWS).
Participants will be immersed in realistic engagement scenarios that replicate contemporary operational environments,
including counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), sensor capabilities, and dynamic threat response. Attendees will interact with a
high-fidelity simulation framework designed to model beam control, tracking, and neutralizing targets.
The training emphasizes decision-making under operational stress, system safety protocols, and coordination across multi-domain platforms.
Participants will gain practical insight into LWS performance trade-offs, rules of engagement, and mission planning considerations.
By bridging theoretical concepts with experiential learning, this session aims to enhance operator readiness and inform best practices for
the deployment and sustainment of directed energy capabilities in modern defense contexts.
Date: May 20, 2026 1730 - 1830
Location: Carlsbad Room, Marriott Hotel
Register for the tour when you complete your online registration or email Cynnamon Spain to get on the list. Seats are limited
Note simulation is for U.S. Citizens Only
Program and Agenda
A high-level view of the event is in the table below.
View the detailed agenda here (note: you must be logged into your DEPS account).:
Overview Agenda
Monday, 18 May
Morning & afternoon Short Courses
Morning & afternoon AV Locust Site Tour
Tuesday, 19 May
AM Keynote and plenary speakers
PM Technical Track sessions
Morning & afternoon Exhibit hours
Evening Exhibitor Reception
Wednesday, 20 May
AM Invited speakers & STEAM Competition
PM Technical Track sessions
Morning & afternoon Exhibit Hall hours
Evening AV Locust Simulation Training
Thursday, 21 May
Space-Related DE Panel
Classified Track session
Conference adjourns
Conference Contacts
Conference Co-Chairs
Patchen Toser-Whitty, Michael Barton
Technical Co-Chairs
Zack George, Themistoklis "Tim" Andreadis
DOW and Service Experimentation and Prototyping Campaigns and Test Results
Zack George
T&E Capabilities for DE
Sean Ross
Testing Considerations for AI/ML Integration in Prototype Systems
Bonnie Johnson
Targets and Instrumentation for HEL and HPM Testing and Experimentation
