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 see details for each call for papers .
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.
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
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.
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.
Important Dates for Presenters
20 February 2026
Abstracts due
27 February 2026
Authors notified of acceptance
2 March 2026
Preliminary agenda published
20 March 2026
All Presentations & papers due with release forms
30 March - 2 April 2026
Annual DE S&T Symposium
Submitting Abstracts
All persons wishing to present at the 2026 Annual DE S&T Symposium must submit an unclassified
abstract for consideration. Please note the important dates for presenters.
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 CUI 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 email
devona@deps.org for further instructions. Subject matter questions
regarding abstracts should be directed to Devona as well.
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.Please contact webmaster@deps.org with any technical issues regarding
abstract submission.
Submitting Presentations and Releases
Instructions for submitting presentations and release forms will be available here soon.
Markings and Distribution Statements
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.
Distribution statements of technical documents must be identified in accordance with
DoD Directive 5230.24, dated 23 AUG 2012, Enclosure 4 (page 14).
All presentations and papers must have an authorized distribution statement on the first page.
Materials marked Distribution Statements B, E and F will not be presented at DEPS events.
