Short Courses
The following short courses were offered by DEPS on 18 July and 22 July 2022 in Swindon, UK.
However, not all courses were open to all registrants. All of the classes were unclassified, but some had additional participation requirements, which are listed below and are identified in the Classification field in the course descriptions.
- Open/Public Release - Any registrant may participate.
- Limited Distribution C - Restricted to U.S. and U.K. citizens who are employees of their respective federal governments or its contractors participating under the current Information Exchange Agreements.
- Limited Distribution D - Restricted to U.S. and U.K. citizens who are employees of their respective Departments of Defense or its contractors participating under the current Information Exchange Agreements.
Continuous Learning Point
(CLP) credits were awarded by DEPS for
completion of their professional development short courses.
Course 1. Introduction to High Energy Laser Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: Dr. Lawrence Grimes, AFRL
Duration: Half-day course; 0800 - 1200, Monday, 18 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This lecture will introduce the field of HEL weapons and their associated technologies
using an interweaving of technical requirements, history, and accomplishments. The basic attributes of HEL weapons will be
covered, leading into discussions of laser-material interaction, lethality, potential weapon applications, system requirements,
laser power scaling, propagation, and beam control. DoD interest in tactical applications, current technical issues, and areas
of research emphasis will be highlighted.
Intended Audience: This course is geared to those with a technical background who seek an overview of HEL
technology and the current state of the art. Individuals who are beginning to work in the field or technical managers who
wish an integrated overview would benefit from the class.
Instructor Biography: TBD
Course 2. Beam Control for Laser Weapon Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: Dr. Mark F. Spencer, USINDOPACOM
Duration: Half-day course; 0800 - 1200, Monday, 18 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course closely follows the material presented in
six chapters of the DEPS-published textbook entitled: "Beam Control for Laser Systems, 2nd Edition." The topics covered include:
- Optics fundamentals (Chapter 2)
- Systems engineering (Chapter 3)
- Classical controls (Chapter 5)
- Modern controls (Chapter 6)
- Optical train components (Chapter 11)
- Adaptive optics (Chapter 14)
Please note that graduates of this course will be able to purchase a copy of
"Beam Control for Laser Systems, 2nd Edition" at a significantly reduced
cost. The material presented in this textbook is tutorial in nature with
exercises at the back of each chapter. A companion CD also provides
solutions with MATLAB code for these exercises. An intended outcome of this
course is that graduates will be able to complete these exercises as
independent learners.
Intended Audience: This course is for those who seek a foundational
overview. Scientists and engineers, as well as technical managers will
benefit from the topics covered.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Mark F. Spencer is a Senior Physicist at the Air
Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD) and an
Adjunct Associate Professor of Optical Sciences and Engineering at the Air
Force Institute of Technology (AFIT), within the Department of Engineering
Physics. As the first-ever liaison from AFRL/RD, he currently serves as the
Directed Energy Staff Specialist at the US Indo-Pacific Command
(USINDOPACOM). Mark received his PhD degree in Optical Sciences and
Engineering from AFIT in 2014. In addition to being a Fellow of SPIE (the
international society for optics and photonics) and a Senior Member of
Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America), he is an active member of
the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS) and the Military Sensing
Symposia (MSS).
Course 3. Principles and Practicalities of HPM Sources and Amplifiers
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: Prof. Kevin Ronald, University of Strathclyde
Duration: Half-day course; 0800 - 1200, Monday, 18 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: At the conclusion of this course, students will understand the overall physics principles describing and governing HPM sources, as well as important physical processes essential to enable such sources and constraining their realistic performance range. Students will also understand the operation of several important types of microwave sources and be able to extend this understanding to interpret the principles of emerging new technology appearing, from time to time in the literature.
Topics to be covered include:
- Brief Summary of EM theory including: Maxwell's eqn's (integral and differential); Wave eqn; Solutions for the wave equation - waveguide modes and their dispersion
- Principles of EM wave-particle coupling: Fundamentals; physical principles of practical schemes; Slow wave, fast wave and crossed field schemes; differences between amplifiers and oscillators; configuration of important classes of source; examples of state of the art HPM sources
- Underpinning Physics including: Electron emission mechanisms and limitations; vacuum systems and requirements; signal launching schemes
Intended Audience: Undergraduate degree in Physics or Electrical Engineering beneficial - especially for the theoretical aspects, but not essential to benefit overall. Insight into the performance of different source types should be accessible without deep technical expertise and therefore is of potential benefit to management as well as scientists and engineers. The material should be accessible to inexperienced new staff but should also provide some insight into ongoing research of interest to senior practictioners.
Instructor Biography: Prof. K Ronald, was awarded the degree of BSc in Physics in 1992 by the University of Strathclyde and the degree of PhD for research investigating explosive electron emission in fast wave oscillators by the same institution in 1997. Prof. Ronald has 30 years experience of research in HPRF/HPM spanning work on sources, applications in accelerator physics and plasma physics and in fundamental geophysical plasma physics research. Particular areas of interest include diagnostics and current drive in tokamaks, Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR), parametric scattering of EM waves in plasma (laboratory and geophysical), cold cathode techniques, muon accelerators, high power microwave sources for applications in communications, RADAR, biochemical spectroscopy.
Course 4. An Intuitive Introduction to the Physics of High Energy Lasers CANCELLED
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution D
Instructor: TBD
Duration: Half-day course; 1300 - 1700, Monday, 18 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: TBD
Intended Audience: TBD
Instructor Biography: TBD
Course 5. Atmospheric Laser Propagation
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C
Instructors:
- Steven Fiorino, AFIT
- Jack McCrae, AFIT
Duration: Half-day course; 1300-1700, Monday, 18 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course addresses how to characterize and quantify the major effects of the atmosphere
on directed energy weapons propagation. A first principles atmospheric propagation and characterization code called the Laser
Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) is described and demonstrated. LEEDR enables the creation of
climatologically- or numerical weather prediction (NWP)-derived vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, water vapor
content, optical turbulence, and atmospheric particulates and hydrometeors as they relate to line-by-line or band-averaged
layer extinction coefficient magnitude at any wavelength from 200 nm to 8.6 m. Applying those atmospheric effects to High
Energy Lasers (HELs) is addresses by introducing and demonstrating a high-fidelity scaling-law HEL propagation coded called
the High Energy Laser End-to-End Operational Simulation HELEEOS. The course outline is as follows:
- Intro to atmospheric structure and constituents
- Atmospheric boundary layer
- Aerosol / fog / clouds
- Atmospheric radiative / propagation effects
- Extinction, refraction
- Optical turbulence, scintillation
- Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR)
- HEL thermal blooming effects in the atmosphere
- Optics, beam control: turbulence / thermal blooming compensation
- Coherent beam combining
- High Energy Laser End to End Operational Simulation (HELEEOS)
Intended Audience: US Government personnel and their direct contractors who have program requirements for or are
interested in methods and tools to assess realistic environments and environmental effects for HEL modeling and simulation,
HEL mission planning, and/or military systems operations. The course assumes the students have some technical background in
radiative transfer through the atmosphere--either via an undergraduate degree or career experience.
Instructor Biographies: Steven T. Fiorino received his BS degrees in geography and meteorology from Ohio State (1987) and Florida State (1989) universities. He additionally
holds an MS in atmospheric dynamics from Ohio State (1993) and a PhD in
physical meteorology from Florida State (2002). He is a retired USAF Lt Col
who is currently an Associate Professor of atmospheric physics within the
Engineering Physics Department at AFIT and is the director of the AFIT
Center for Directed Energy. His research interests include microwave remote
sensing, development of weather signal processing algorithms, and
atmospheric effects on military systems such as high-energy lasers and
weapons of mass destruction. Dr. Fiorino is a member of SPIE, AMS, AIAA,
OSA, and DEPS.
Jack E. McCrae, Jr. received his Ph.D. in Physics from the Air Force
Institute of Technology in 1997, an M.S. in Physics (Optics) from the Air
Force Institute of Technology in 1993, and a B.S. in Physics from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984. He is a retired Air Force
Colonel with 27 years of service and currently a Research Assistant
Professor with the Center for Directed Energy in the Engineering Physics
Department at AFIT. His research interests include optics, lasers, quantum
and non-linear optics, laser radar, atmospheric propagation and imaging.
Course 6. Introduction to High Power Microwave Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: Samuel Gutierrez, AFRL
Duration: Half-day course; 1300-1700, Monday, 18 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description:
This course will provide an introduction to RF Directed Energy weapons, also known as
High Power Microwave (HPM) weapons. The course consists of five parts: 1) a general introduction to the basic terms
and concepts, 2) prime power and pulsed power systems needed to drive HPM devices, 3) HPM sources to include concepts
and examples, 4) HPM narrowband and wideband antennas, and 5) design and fabrication of HPM systems.
At the end of the class, students will know what RF-DEWs are and how they differ from classical Electronic Warfare
and nuclear EMP. Students will learn the various ways to design and develop HPM subsystems to include the fundamental
concepts through the practical construction of such systems (science and engineering). Technology discussions will
show the difference between narrow band (NB) and ultra-wide band (UWB) sources, antennas and diagnostics, as well as
the principal elements of the power systems needed to support them. The course concludes with a examples of HPM systems
developed in the recent years. Topics to be covered include:
- Definitions, motivation, notional concepts
- Technology - Power Sources and Power Conditioning, Microwave Oscillators, Antennas, Diagnostics
- System level design for multiple application
Intended Audience: Newcomers to the field of RF-DEW or managers with some background in science and engineering
will benefit the most from this course.
Instructor Biography: Sam Gutierrez is currently employed at ManTech-Gryphon Technologies as a Principal Systems Engineer from a distinguished 31-year career with the Air Force Research Laboratory. He supports the DE JTO and DARPA-TTO as a SETA and SME. He holds a BSEE from The University of New Mexico, and a MSEE from New Mexico State University. He has served in numerous positions in Electromagnetic Pulse, High Power Microwave, Special Projects, Laser Relay Mirrors, Ground and Flight Test, and High-Performance Computing. He has had assignments throughout the DoD including the AFRL Det 15 on Maui Island, and the Office of the ASD R&E/WPNS as the Staff Specialist for Directed Energy Weapons. He has decades of collaboration experience with the UK, and other nations. His most recent position before leaving AFRL was as the Chief Engineer and Test Lead for the High-Power Electromagnetics Division.
Course 7. HEL Lethality Science
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C
Instructors:
- Mr. Robert Ulibarri, AFRL
- Dr. Darren Luke, AFRL
- Dr. Michael Shekya, AFRL
Duration: Half-day course; 0800-1200, Friday 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: The Lethality Testing/Equipment Session will provide a discussion of all elements of HEL Lethality testing. This portion of the course will address data collection standards to be applied during the planning and execution of the test to assure meaningful and accurate data is obtained. Included in this section will techniques for measuring laser parameters such as power, beam profile, as well as, experimental test setup and data acquisition requirements for test articles. There will be discussion related to instrumentation and equipment necessary to acquire critical measurements for both the laser and test articles. The testing session will conclude with a discussion of testing challenges related to remote testing. This will include development of test matrices, key test parameters as well as techniques and methods to execute HEL Lethality full scale target testing at nontraditional laser laboratories.
The Modeling & Simulation Session will describe the key physics associated with laser-material interaction modeling as it applies to laser lethality. The fundamental equations, boundary conditions, input data, analytical and numerical modeling approaches will be reviewed. A summary will be provided of various models, codes and tools used to analyze and predict target effects during HEL engagement. In addition, an overview of the target vulnerability assessment process will be provided in the context of generating target effects data for mission level simulations.
Intended Audience: HEL Lethality is the cornerstone of system engineering. Those working in the fields of System Engineering, Laser Vulnerability, and Weapons Effectiveness Assessment should benefit from the course.
Instructor Biographies:
Mr. Robert Ulibarri is a Senior General Engineer with AFRL working in the laser effects branch. He has been involved in effects testing and analysis for over 20 years specifically on testing related activities. He is currently the program manager for the Directed Energy Directorate's Laser Vulnerability Research Program focusing on the evaluation of tactical targets of interest to the Air Force. He has conducted numerous complex laser effects field tests involving such facilities as White Sands Missile Range's High Energy Laser System Test Facility and several wind tunnel related activities at Arnold Engineering and Development Center. He is currently supporting numerous customers including OUSD(R&E), MDA, DOT&E and AF/LCMC. He has a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Darren Luke is a Senior Research Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory, Laser Effects, Modeling and Simulation Branch. He holds a PhD in Structural Engineering from the University of New Mexico. He has 16 years of experience in high fidelity model development for laser effects applications with an emphasis in thermal transport, laser-material interaction, high temperature progressive damage plasticity, fracture mechanics, fluid dynamics, V&V methods, uncertainty quantification, and finite element and particle methods. Dr. Luke has led numerous laser vulnerability studies evaluating the vulnerability of tactical and strategic targets for several US High Energy Laser programs.
Dr. Michael Sheyka has a Ph.D.in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Mexico and has been a Mechanical Engineer for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) since 2015. He is currently the Laser Effects Modeling and Simulation Branch engineering level modeling and assessments principal investigator. He currently manages the laser vulnerability assessment team, performs high fidelity modeling and analysis, and provides briefings and test support. His technical expertise includes laser-material interactions, finite element and hydrodynamic simulation, testing and modeling, uncertainty quantification, and optimization methodologies.
Course 8. Laser Deconfliction
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution D
Instructors:
- LeAnn Brasure, Gryphon Technologies
- Maj Edward Ramirez, Laser Clearinghouse
Duration: Half-day course; 0800-1200, Friday 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course is intended to teach the "Why, Who, What, How and What's New" of Laser Deconfliction (LD) - the process by which assets are protected from accidental illumination by lasers. Predictive Avoidance (PA), protecting space assets and Airspace Deconfliction (AD), protecting air assets, will also be covered in the course. As the AD process is not as mature as the PA process, it will not be covered in as much detail.
PA and AD are critical pieces of the testing process for DoD and NSF laser systems and a knowledgeable and proactive approach by the testing organization can maximize test windows and minimize frustration. The course is also intended to help the laser community work together in this area and provide a consistent source of information on current issues, capabilities developed by other groups, and what's in store for the future. The course has recently been updated to include the Navy's recent development of a software-only safety system and a commercially available system. The goal of this course is to familiarize the student with the reasons behind PA, the process for working with the Laser Clearing House (LCH) as well as tools and points of contact available to hopefully simplify and clarify the process. In addition, the course will cover efforts in the community to standardize the process and make the safety requirements more in line with current probabilistic risk assessment methodology.
Topics to be covered include:
- Intro (who, what, where, when, how)
- Policy - Defining the environment, present and future
- Implementation - How do we keep assets safe
- How do we identify risks, to include tools available
Intended Audience: Anyone who is currently involved or anticipates involvement in laser testing will benefit
from this course. Test planners and managers as well as those technically involved with the testing are welcome.
Instructor Biographies: LeAnn Brasure works for Gryphon Technologies supporting the DE JTO as part of their technical team. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Physics and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. She obtained her Masters Degree in nuclear physics through the Air Force Institute of Technology and retired from the Air Force after 24 years of active duty service. During her active duty time she had assignments including WSMC (Vandenberg AFB), AFTAC (Patrick AFB) as well as a physics instructor at the Air Force Academy. She began to focus on solid state lasers during her assignment as an AFRL Laboratory Representative at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Her last assignment was with AFRL at Kirtland AFB as the Solid State Laser Branch Chief. Her role as a part of the HEL JTO team is to monitor current technology projects and help define new technology development programs such as the JTO's Predictive Avoidance and Airspace Deconfliction effort. In addition, she has recently begun work on international agreements, helping the JTO craft multi-service agreements to facilitate international collaboration.
Maj Edward Ramirez bio TBD.
Course 9. HPM Effects and Data Collection
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C (US), Confidential (UK)
Instructor: Timothy Clarke, Air Force Research Laboratory
Day/Time: Half-day course; 0800-1200, Friday, 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course will provide a basic overview of Radio Frequency Directed Energy
(RF DE) and its effects on electronic systems. The course will cover what RF DE is, how it is similar to but
different from classic Electronic Warfare (EW) and Nuclear generated Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP), and how it
penetrates targets systems and produces effects ranging from temporary interference to permanent damage.
We will also discuss the statistical nature of RF coupling to electronics and effects and how effect levels
are best described as a probability of effect or failure. Finally we will describe some RF effects models
and how they can be used to estimate probability of target effect. Topics include:
- RF DE Systems-Narrow Band and Wide Band RF
- RF Propagation and Coupling
- Effects on Electronic and Probability of Effect
- Effects Investigation Methodology
- RF Effects Models and Simulation
Intended Audience: The course is intended for anyone who wants to learn to the basics of RF DE
and how it effects on electronics, Even though it does not require a bachelor's degree in science or
engineering, it is meant for individual with some back ground in science or engineering and/or in technical
program management.
Instructor Biography: Dr. Timothy Clarke is the High Power Electromagnetics (HPEM) Effects Technology Manager at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. He has worked in
the area of HPEM for about 15 years. His PhD is from the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical
Physics, Cambridge University.
Course 10. HEL Modeling
Classification: Unclassified, Limited Distribution C
Instructor: Dr. Lawrence Grimes, AFRL
Duration: Half-day course; 1300-1700, Friday, 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This course will provide a survey of modeling and simulation tools used in HEL system analysis and how they can be used together at every level of the modeling and simulation (M&S) pyramid. The course will include a description of HEL modeling tools in three levels of M&S to include: 1) Engineering/Physics, 2) Engagement, and 3) Mission. Each of these areas will be covered during the half-day course with an emphasis on end-to-end system modeling, model fidelity/complexity trade-offs, examples of specific types of analysis applications, and operational considerations necessary to represent HEL capabilities accurately in engagement and mission-level environments. At the end of the course, the student should expect to gain a familiarity with the broad scope of HEL modeling, many of the existing tools, and examples of how to use them together for various types of analytical applications.
Topics to be covered include:
- Survey of many existing HEL modeling tools
- Methods to use the tools together to perform end-to-end system modeling
- Overview of the levels of the M&S pyramid and how to use them for different analysis objectives
- Operational considerations necessary to accurately represent HEL capabilities in engagement and mission-level environments
Intended Audience: US Government personnel and their contractors who are interested in methods and tools to assess realistic end-to-end HEL system performance through available modeling and simulation tools. The course is designed for systems engineers, operations research analysts, program managers or technologists who are interested in learning the applications of modeling and simulation techniques to evaluate HEL system performance and operational effectiveness. Technical managers or professionals with experience in HEL systems or individuals who are beginning to work in the field would benefit from the class.
Instructor Biography: TBD
Course 11. Systems Engineering for DE Systems
Classification: Unclassified, Open/Public Release
Instructor: Mark Neice, DEPS
Duration: Half-day course, runs 1300-1700, Friday, 22 July
CEUs awarded: 2 CLPs
Course Description: This introductory course is designed to provide an appreciation of Systems Engineering in the pursuit of the Directed Energy (DE) Weapons revolution. After many decades of Research & Development, emerging DE weapons systems must navigate the technology's "valley of death" through thoughtful application of Systems Engineering principles to successfully field new warfighter capabilities.
The course will introduce the principles of Systems Engineering, define DE's High Energy Lasers (HEL) and High-Power Microwave (HPM) Systems, then review DoD guidance and tools in the context of the warfighters' missions. Conceptual HEL/HPM applications will provide instantiation examples and enable interactive discussions.
At the end of the course, attendees will be better able to craft their programs to leverage proven DoD SE processes and effectively integrate into existing and future DoD weapons systems/networks. The course will cover the Systems Engineering Process throughout the Lifecycle.
Topics to be covered in this course include:
- The Big Picture/Overview
- DE Weapon Systems Definitions: HEL & HPM
- Military Requirements and User Interactions
- DoD SE Guides to include Mission Engineering (ME), Digital Engineering, System-of-Systems (SoS), Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), Software Engineering (SWE), and The Software Acquisition Pathway
- Systems Architecture and its application to DE Systems
- Tools to Enable Engineering Success: Modeling & Simulation (M&S) and How M&S supports DoD Processes
- Testing as an Integral Part of SE: the Different Types of Test & Evaluation (T&E)
- SE for High Energy Laser Weapon System Integration and T&E
- SE for HPM Weapon Systems and T&E
Intended Audience: This course is open to the public and requires no specific background as it is general in nature, but rich in helping to understand the fundamental concepts of DE Weapon Systems and how to apply System Engineering processes.
Instructor Biography: Mark Neice is the Executive Director of the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS). DEPS fosters research and development in Directed Energy, to include high-energy laser and high-power microwave technologies for national defense and civilian applications, through professional communication and education. Mr Neice is twice retired from the federal government; the last time in December 2012, after 37 years of military and civilian service.
Mr. Neice is formerly the Director of the High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office, working for the Assistant Secretary of Defense, Research and Engineering. There he supervised the research and development of solid-state, free electron & gas laser devices, beam control technologies, lethality analysis, and the modeling & simulation tools that create military applications of laser energy for combat operations.
| Course Fees |
|
| |
Single Half-Day
|
Two Half-Day
|
| Full-time RDA students |
$0
|
$0
|
| Others |
$300
|
$550
|
Last updated: 4 August 2022
