Call for Papers
Contributions are being solicited at the Open and CUI/LImited Distribution
levels for in-person presentation at the 2025 Annual Directed Energy
Science and Technology Symposium with a primary interest in topics that support the research and
development of directed energy technologies and subsystems. The Symposium will be composed of oral
and poster presentations discussing the topics below, as well as plenary, social and joint sessions.
Please note, there will be no classified sessions supported at this event.
Focus Areas
The list of primary focus areas and links to the specific calls for papers is given below.
Beam Control Systems and Technologies
The theme for this year's Beam Control session(s) is advancing beam control technologies in step with new advances in high power lasers.
The session(s) have a twofold purpose: 1) to address beam control transition requirements and opportunities for near term HEL weapons systems
and 2) to focus on maturing beam control technology to support future HEL weapons systems. Contributions consistent with these purposes are solicited, especially in the topic areas listed below.
- Beam control systems: Major experiments and demonstrations
- Advanced sensors and Target acquisition and Tracking Systems (especially in cluttered environments)
- Beam control and optics technology
- Atmospheric propagation in harsh environments
- Aero-optics
- Phased and tiled arrays
- Target effects detection
- High Rytov engagement - advanced adaptive optics
- High speed targets
- Aimpoint maintenance on extended targets
Papers and presentations are sought at the Unclassified, Distribution A level.
Submission Instructions
Power and Thermal for DE
As DE technologies advance toward deployable systems, the supporting power and thermal management systems must
provide high efficiency and low SWAP solutions viable for multiple missions, platforms, and environments. Although
typically optimized for specific applications and missions, system approaches must be flexible and scalable to adapt
with evolving mission requirements. Contributions consistent with these purposes are solicited, especially in the
topic areas listed below.
- Prime Power - Prime Power considerations could include but are not limited to advanced batteries, fuel cells, power generation, power distribution and conditioning, significant component or subsystem improvements, corresponding modeling and simulations, and measured performance data.
- Pulsed Power Systems - Pulsed Power System considerations could include but are not limited to energy storage, voltage multiplication, switching, pulsed power distribution and conditioning, system EMI/EMC design, significant component or subsystem improvements, corresponding modeling and simulations, and measured performance data.
- Thermal Management Systems - Thermal Management Systems considerations could include but are not limited to energy storage (e.g. sensible and latent heat approaches), waste heat rejection, system optimization approaches, significant component or subsystem improvements, corresponding modeling and simulations, and measured performance data.
Unclassified papers and presentations are sought at Distribution A level.
Submission Instructions
Directed Energy Bioeffects
Establishing a fundamental understanding of the interaction of directed energy and biology is essential to the
development, transition, and use of directed energy systems. Building upon that basic knowledge allows for the
development of tools for simulating effects, estimating collateral hazards, conducting probabilistic risk assessments
and answering policy-related questions. The scope of the session includes the following topics:
- The digital human
- Physics-level modeling, simulation, and analysis of Bioeffects
- Modeling, simulation, and analysis tools for collateral effects
- The transition from deterministic occupational exposure standards to probabilistic risk assessments
- Suprathreshold effects of directed energy on biology
- Biological framework for investigating possible DE weapon attacks
- Bioeffects for non-lethal weapons
- Navigating the approval process for employment
Papers, presentations and posters at the Distribution A level are being sought.
Submission Instructions
HEL Technologies and Effects
We invite abstracts for oral and/or poster presentation on Laser Technologies and Effects.
The Laser Technologies and Effects sessions will assemble the laser Directed Energy (DE) community
hardware and modeling experts in an end-to-end review of the laser system, subsystems and components
and the various effects a DE Laser can create.
The objectives of these sessions will be to share current work and advances in
- Laser sources - CW and pulsed lasers to include ultra-short pulse; traditional HEL one micron wavelength source development as well as sources at other wavelengths
- Pulsed laser propagation and effects in atmosphere
- Diode advancements for direct lasing and pumping
- The laser physics of Beacon and Track Illuminator lasers (presentations with emphasis on the use of TIL and BIL for beam control should go to the Beam Control topic area)
- Beam combination techniques and technologies (coherent, incoherent, spectral)
- HEL system and subsystem aspects such as hardware advances and improvements, advanced designs and modeling/model validation
- Laser components (optical, materials and electrical), such as for modal control, mitigation of deleterious non-linear effects, improved efficiency and robustness, and laser cavity elements
- Laser-material and device interactions/effects research and modeling
Papers, presentations and posters at the Distribution A level are being sought.
Submission Instructions
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are emerging technologies and processes that are proving
beneficial in numerous fields across defense and commercial applications. There is potential to apply these
processes in support of HEL engagements. The goal of the AI and Machine Learning session(s) is to explore AI and
ML as applied to the HEL engagement. Presentations and posters are solicited to increase the understanding of the
DE community on the capabilities and limitations of AI and ML. Particular interest in AI and ML applied to target
detection, identification, aim point selection, and engagement to include Battle Damage Assesment (BDA).
Submission Instructions
Mission-Level Modeling, Simulation, and Analysis (MS&A)
The Mission-Level MS&A session will provide for the exchange of ideas among analysts evaluating configurations,
performance trade spaces, and value of directed energy technologies in scenarios of many-on-many force configurations.
Topics may range from perspectives for scenario development to complex analysis outcomes.
The following areas are invited for submissions:
- Realistic Scenario Development to Provide Insight and Value
- Directed Energy System Mission-Level Study Results
- Directed Energy in a Multi-Domain Spectrum of Effects Analysis
- Methods to Incorporate Man-in/on-the-Loop including Interface Evaluation for Situational Awareness and Man-Machine Teaming
- Incorporation of Battle-Management Systems
- Methods to Incorporate Directed Energy into Existing Kinetic Weapon Analysis Tools
- Methods to transition physics models and empirical data into mission-level simulations
- Generation of Wargaming Concepts and Incorporation in Wargames
- Validation Efforts for Mission-Level Modeling and Simulation
Papers, presentations and posters at the Distribution A level are being sought.
Submission Instructions
Atmospheric Propagation
The Atmospheric Propagation session(s) will serve as a forum for the presentation of research on the physics of
light propagation, optical remote sensing, and EO/IR effects in the atmosphere, to include distributed volume
turbulence, gravity waves, vortex shedding, stably stratified turbulence, persistent eddies, and cloud/aerosol/molecular
scattering and absorption, refractive effects such as mirages and over-the-horizon viewing, as well as characterization
of these phenomena.
The following is a nonexclusive set of paper topics appropriate for the special section:
- Distributed volume turbulence: Kolmogorov and non-Kolmogorov turbulence, optical beam properties, such as scintillation, phase variance, branch points, etc.
- Meteorological phenomena: Refractive layers, boundary layer measurements, stratified turbulence, gravity waves, vortex shedding, large scale eddies, micro-meteorology, cloud/aerosol extinction
- Atmospheric modeling and simulation: Multi-phenomena atmospheric characterizations and computationally efficient methods to incorporate physically realistic characterizations into M&S
- Exploitation and enhancement of numerical weather prediction (NWP) modeling: Turbulence (Cn2) and aerosol content are not common NWP products - how can these be elucidated from NWP?
- Atmospheric measurement devices beyond standard pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind: The potential implementation of turbulence measuring devices such as sonic anemometers, scintillometers, time-lapse photography, digital holographic instruments, etc.; aerosol/particle measurement devices such as water and alcohol-based condensation particle counters and particle sizers
- Deployable Equipment: Methods to measure real time atmospheric conditions along the beam path immediately prior to and during lasing to a non-cooperative target
Papers, presentations and posters at the Distribution A level are being sought.
Submission Instructions
Directed Energy Intermediate Force Capabilities / Non-Lethal Weapons
The theme for this year's session is "Directed Energy Intermediate Force Capabilities (DE -IFCs): Relevant across
the Range of Military Operations." This session seeks papers/presentations on DE-IFC weapon technologies that are
applicable and relevant to Gray Zone operations. The objective is to enable and improve US Forces' competition
across the entire force continuum, i.e., across the full range of military operations (ROMO).
IFCs enable the Joint Force to successfully compete across the competition continuum by providing active and
proportional measures between presence and lethal effects. IFCs supports the National Defense Strategy objectives.
DE IFCs:
- Allow the Joint Force to engage with scaled force technologies
- Methods to assess, validate, and communicate intent for enhanced and early decision making
- Limitation of collateral damage
- Precision targeting to focus effects on threats and avoid innocents
Papers/presentations sought include updates and information on prospective new DE-IFC technologies.
The desired end-state of this DE IFC session is to: build awareness, understanding, and appreciation
of directed energy IFCs among the DOD's research and engineering community. Presentations and papers
will be considered for acceptance at Distribution A level.
Submission Instructions
HPM Technologies and Effects
We invite abstracts for oral and/or poster presentations on HPM Technologies and Effects.
Presentations on HPM Technologies could include:
- Compact pulsed power for HPM
- HPM oscillators and amplifiers
- HPM sources
- High-power RF distribution systems
- Antennas and antenna arrays for HPM
- HPM system optimization
Presentations dealing with HPM Effects at all levels, from direct-drive component testing to
full system level tests will be considered, both measured and/or simulated. Topics of interest include:
- Non-perturbing diagnostics
- HPM effect trends with electronic device technologies
- Statistical analysis for defense- and offense-conservative use of Pe curves
- Extrapolation of shielding effectiveness measurements to threat-level full system test results
Papers and presentations are sought at the Unclassified, Distribution A level.
Submission Instructions
DE Engineering for Manufacturing
Airborne Lasers
Laser weapons are being developed to play a critical role in 21st century warfare as a defense
against rising drone warfare and large threat missile salvos. Laser weapons will complement existing
defensive kinetic weapon capabilities. Rapid advancement in laser weapon maturation is underway for
ground-based, vehicle-based, shipboard, and airborne integration—each platform implementation offers
enhanced defensive capabilities. Lessons learned from studies, demonstrations, and experimentation
have shown that airborne laser weapons provide significant performance gains, offering tactical
advantages of height, moveability, and maneuverability, and the favorable beam propagation advantages
of the higher altitude atmospheric conditions. This track will provide the Joint DE community with
an opportunity to present concepts, studies, technology solutions, theories, modeling and simulation,
test and experimentation, and mission engineering analysis on, and related to, airborne lasers.
Submission Instructions
| Important Dates for Presenters |
31 March 2025
- Abstracts due
- 11 April 2025
- Authors notified of acceptance
- 21 April 2025
- Preliminary agenda published
- 2 May 2025
- Open/CUI Presentations & papers due with release forms
- 12-16 May 2026
- Annual DE S&T Symposium
|
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Submission Instructions
General information on the submission of abstracts, presentations, papers and release forms is provided below.
Unclassified presentations and papers will be considered for acceptance at Open/Distribution A level
Note that it is the responsibility of the lead author to obtain all approvals and releases for
submitted abstracts, presentations, and papers. All submitted materials must be appropriately marked for security classification as well as identification of
any distribution restrictions.
Abstracts
The abstract deadline has passed.
Authors will be notified on or before 11 April of acceptance of their paper for presentation and/or publication.
Additional instructions for submitting papers and presentations will be provided at that time.
Presentations & Papers
In order to assemble the presentations for the symposium in a timely manner, authors will be required
to submit the sponsoring Program Office approved versions of presentations no later than
2 May 2025. Any presentation received after this date is subject to not being presented at the discretion
of the technical committee.
Presentations should be in Microsoft PowerPoint format. The file name of the presentation must
include the abstract number. Any video material used must be imbedded within your presentation
and cannot exceed 20MB. Additionally, please note that when submitting unclassified presentations
on CD via mail, your CD will not be returned.
Authors are also encouraged to submit papers based on their presentations to be
published in the Symposium proceedings. Submitted papers may, upon author approval,be forwarded for
consideration by editors of the Journal of Directed Energy, a peer-reviewed
publication.
Papers will be due on or before 15 May and should be submitted in either Microsoft Word format, which
is preferred, or Adobe Acrobat format (pdf file). Papers should follow the
JDE paper formatting
instructions with the following exceptions: no page limit, single space paragraphs, double space between
paragraphs and integrated figures and tables. Include full contact information for the corresponding author
(including address, phone, fax, and email). It is the authors’ responsibility to ensure that the paper has
not been published, nor under consideration, elsewhere.
Papers and presentations must be assigned the appropriate authorized Distribution Statement as well
as with the pertinent security markings. See Security Markings below.
Note that all presentations are due along with their release form by 2 May, and papers by 15 May 2025.
UNCLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS
Unclassified, public release (Distribution A) presentations and papers that are less than
5MB in size can be sent electronically to Devona Valdez at graphic@deps.org.
Please email Devona at graphic@deps.org to request a
drop-off link be sent to you. Using DoD Safe or your secure transfer site is preferable; however, if
you need to send a CD, please mail it to:
DEPS Graphics
7770 Jefferson St. NE
Suite 440
Albuquerque, NM 87109
Please contact Amanda White amanda@deps.org with questions regarding
Unclassified Distribution A or CUI statement guidelines.
**NO CLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS will be accepted for this symposium**
Release Forms
Release forms are required for all papers and presentations submitted to the Annual DE S&T
Symposium. These PDF release forms can be completed electronically, then printed for signature
and submission. It is the responsibility of the lead author to obtain all approvals and releases
for submitted presentations and papers. Submission instructions are provided on the form itself.
Forms are due at the same time as the corresponding presentation/paper.
Presentation Release Form
Paper Release Form
Release forms are due at the same time as the corresponding presentation (2 May) or paper (15 May).
Security Markings
Distribution statements of technical documents must be identified in accordance with
DoD Directive 5230.24, dated 23 AUG 2012, Enclosure 4 (page 14). Papers with
distribution statements A are encouraged to facilitate publication of the
technical data in the proceedings.
All presentations must have an authorized distribution statement on the first page.
Presentations containing Distribution Statements B and E will not be presented at the
DE Systems Symposium or published in the proceedings.
All papers must have an authorized distribution statement on the first page. Papers
containing Distribution Statements B, E and F will not be published in the DE Systems
Symposium proceedings.
Last updated: 16 April 2025
