Annual DE S&T Symposium Presenting

Contributions are being solicited for in-person presentation at the 2026 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 for scaled DE, scaling in production, precision, and cost efficiencies. The Symposium will be composed of oral and poster presentations discussing the topics below, as well as plenary, social and joint sessions. This Call for Papers invites submissions for Public Release, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), SECRET, and SECRET/NOFORN papers and presentations on the following topics:

The list of primary focus areas appear below. Click to expand and view details for each.

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

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.

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

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

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).

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

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

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.

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

The theme of this years Neutral Particle Beam (NPB) session is NPB multiuser capability to include DOW applications for Space Control and Ballistic Missile Defense, DOE applications for accelerator facilities for multiple applications, NASA applications for lunar Insitsu resource exploration, and medical applications for cancer treatment.

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. If you would like to present at the Directed Energy Education Workshop, submit an abstract on the Directed Energy Education Workshop page, which includes more detailed information.

If your presentation is CUI but is being presented in an offsite session, please submit using CUI instructions.

Presentations and papers must be received by 20 March.

For organizational purposes, please label your presentation file name using your LAST NAME and your ASSIGNED ABSTRACT NUMBER.

For example: Smith_26-Symp-XXX.

Choose the submission method based on sensitivity and/or size as listed here. All presentations are to be submitted to Devona Valdez at devona@deps.org.

Unclassified, public release (Distribution A): Presentations and papers that are less than 10MB in size can be emailed.

CUI Distribution C and D less than 10MB: Presentations and papers that are less than 10MB in size can be emailed provided that files are password protected and sent in an encrypted email. Note that password must be emailed separately, and emails must be encrypted.

CUI Distribution C and D over 10MB: Presentations and papers over 10Mb must use an encrypted transfer method. Users with .mil email addresses and CACs holders should use DoD SAFE https://safe.apps.mil/ or an equivalent encrypted FTP site, and drop off files to Devona Valdez.

Using DoD Safe 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

Unclassified / CUI presentations and papers must be received by 20 March.

*NOTE: No presentations will be accepted for upload onsite. Any updates made to presentations after the submission deadline must be submitted digitally or otherwise arranged.

Note that all submitted materials, including unclassified presentations, must be appropriately marked for security classification as well as identification of any distribution restrictions. See Security Markings below.

For organizational purposes, please label your presentation file name using your LAST NAME and your ASSIGNED ABSTRACT NUMBER.

For example: Smith_26-Symp-XXX.

Classified presentations can either be sent via SIPR and dropped into the designated IntelDocs folder, or mailed via US Postal Service registered mail or via FedEx to an address that can be supplied if requested. All submissions, whether mailed or sent via SIPR, must be identified as being for the DEPS S&T Symposium, with dates 31 Mar-02 Apr noted.

If you intend to place your classified presentation in the IntelDocs folder, please follow the instructions:

Email Christopher Wilcox on SIPR at christopher.wilcox.12@us.af.mil. Full instructions will be emailed via Chris's "Out of Office" reply.
Name your file as specified above (e.g., "Lastname_26-Symp-xxx" where xxx is your assigned abstract number), and DO NOT password protect the file.
Follow the link given in Chris's "Out of Office" email reply. If you have not registered yet, you will need to do so.

Please contact Heather Chacon, at (505) 998-4910 or heather@deps.org with questions regarding Classified Submissions.

**All Classified presentations and papers must be received by 24 March. Please be sure and mail classified submissions in sufficient time to ensure delivery by the advertised due date.

Authors are encouraged to submit papers as well as presentations. Submitted papers may, upon author approval, be forwarded for consideration by editors of the Journal of Directed Energy, a peer-reviewed publication.

Papers are due on or before 2 April and should be submitted in either Microsoft Word format, which is preferred, or Adobe Acrobat format (pdf file). Specific format instructions can be found on the following link: Journal Author Instructions with the following exceptions: no page limit, single space paragraphs, double space between paragraphs and integrated figures and tables. Include full information (including address, phone, fax, and email) for corresponding author. It is the authors' responsibility to ensure that the paper has not been published, nor under consideration, elsewhere.

Some abstracts have been assigned to the poster session scheduled for Tuesday evening during the exhibitor reception. In addition, those making oral presentations may opt to also make a poster presentations. Please contact the chairperson of your assigned session as they are populating the poster session now.

There will be BOTH an Unclassified, Open/Distribution A poster session as well as a CUI/Limited Distribution poster session during the exhibitor reception this year.

Each poster will be allotted 3 ft. by 6 ft. of usable space, and push pins will be provided. DEPS does not have the ability to print posters onsite, so please plan accordingly. Either traditional posters or printed slides will be accepted. A large single-poster style template, originally created by the AFRL, is provided to presenters here in PDF format, with the PowerPoint file available for download here. (Note: if, rather than automatically initiating a download, the link attempts to display in your browser, use your mouse to right-click on the link and select "Save Link As" to download the pptx file to your computer.)

Important note: Posters require release forms (see below) and must be assigned the appropriate authorized Distribution Statement as well as with the pertinent security markings in order to be posted.

Posters do not need to be submitted ahead of time. Bring them with you onsite. If you wish to publish the poster in the proceedings, please submit a digital version to Devona Valdez by the end of the event.

Release forms are required for all papers and presentations (oral or poster) submitted to the 2026 Annual Directed Energy Science and Technology Symposium.

These PDF release forms can be completed electronically with a digital signature, or 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.

PRESENTATION RELEASE FORM PAPER RELEASE FORM

Release forms, as well as questions, should be submitted to devona@deps.org.

Security Markings
Classified materials must be marked In Accordance With DoD 5200.1-R, Sections 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4, and Executive Orders 12958 and 13526 "Classified National Security Information." All classified presentations must include the classified by or derived from information, as well as the "declassify on" date.

CUI materials must be marked in accordance with DoD Instruction 5200.48, "Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)," issued in March 2020. This marking guide can be used as an example.

Distribution
Distribution statements of technical documents must be identified in accordance with DoD Directive 5230.24, dated 23 AUG 2012, Enclosure 4 (page 14). Only presentations and papers with distribution statements A, C, and D will be presented. 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. All papers must have an authorized distribution statement on the first page. Papers can be Distribution A, C, or D only. Distribution Statements B, E and F will not be accepted.

Last updated: 16 March 2026