DIRECTED ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY


Annual Directed Energy
Science and Technology Symposium
12-16 May 2025 Colorado Springs, CO



Overview

Symposium Contacts

DE Education Workshop



Attendee Info

Location & Hotel

Symposium Fees

Companions

Roundtable Reception



Presenter Info

Call for Papers



Exhibitor Info

Exhibits

Catered Event Hosting

Hospitality Suites

 

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.

The current call for the co-located DE Education Workshop is published below as well.

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, C and D levels.

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 Limitations A, C and D levels.

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, C, and D levels 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, C, and D levels 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, C, and D levels 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, C, and D levels 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, C, and D levels.

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, C and D levels.

Submission Instructions


DE Engineering for Manufacturing

Submission Instructions


Directed Energy Education Workshop

The Directed Energy Professional Society is committed to developing the next generation of scientists, engineers and leaders in directed energy. In support of those efforts there will be an educational workshop designed to allow students studying in the area of directed energy to present their work.

The DE Education Workshop is soliciting presentations and posters of graduate and undergraduate students to present their current research to the community. Presentations and posters will be accepted in any area related to directed energy. More detailed information is available on the Directed Energy Education Workshop page.

If you would like to present exclusively in the Directed Energy Education Workshop, submit an abstract online by completing this form.

Submission Instructions



Important Dates for Presenters

  10 March 2025
Abstracts due

  21 March 2025
Authors notified of acceptance

  25 March 2025
Preliminary agenda published

  2 May 2025
Open/CUI Presentations & papers due with release forms

  12-16 May 2026
Annual DE S&T Symposium
 

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 and Limited Distribution C and D levels although some topic areas and their corresponding sessions have more restrictive requirements as outlined in the calls.

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

All persons wishing to present at the 2025 Annual DE S&T Symposium must submit an unclassified abstract by 10 March 2025 for consideration.

>>> Abstracts are to be submitted online by completing this form. <<<

Authors will be notified on or before 21 March of acceptance of their paper for presentation and/or publication. Additional instructions for submitting papers and presentations will be provided at that time.

Authors may choose whether to release either the title or the abstract online. Those who do not yet have public release approval are encouraged to submit the abstract or a simple title to serve as a placeholder before the deadline, then select the appropriate options on the submission form to keep the details off the Website listing.

The conference committee understands that to fully describe the work, the abstract may require supplemental FOUO or classified information. To do so, authors should submit an unclassified place-holder title and, if possible, abstract through the online submission form and then contact the Conference Chair for further instructions.

Please contact webmaster@deps.org with any technical issues regarding abstract submission. Subject matter questions regarding abstracts should be directed to a member of the symposium technical committee.

Note: While an automated email is sent confirming receipt of your abstract, some military domains may block delivery of such an email. If you do not receive email confirmation, you may check this online listing of submitted abstracts. This listing is dynamically generated based on abstracts received at the time the page is displayed and author permission (granted when submitted). If the title of your abstract (or the abstract number assigned) is contained in this listing, it has been received by DEPS.

Presentations & Papers

Authors should note that all presentations and papers will be due, with their release form, by 2 May 2025. This deadline should be kept in mind when scheduling presentation creation and seeking institutional permissions to present at the Symposium.

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 encouraged to submit papers based on their presentations to be published in the Symposium proceedings. Papers should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format, and follow the DEPS Conference Paper Format instructions. With author approval, papers may also be forwarded for consideration by editors of the Journal of Directed Energy, a peer-reviewed publication.

Specific instructions for submitting presentations and papers will be provided here later.

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Last updated: 30 January 2025