Directed Energy Prototyping

Directed Energy Prototyping falls under the Air Force's Research, Development, Test & Evaluation budget activity. The program's specific goal is to acquire and evaluate prototype high energy laser, high power microwave, and other electromagnetic radiation or particle beam technologies for future integration into the Airbase defense mission. This includes bridging the gap between lab-based technology demonstration and demonstrating systems in realistic environments to establish successful acquisition and operational capability implementation. The program also aims to enable the integration of directed energy prototype systems with other operational systems required for the mission, conduct test and evaluation activities, and mature emerging directed energy technology systems based on prototyping activities to enable rapid fielding to the warfighter.

The Directed Energy Prototyping Program's objectives include prototyping, integrating, evaluating, and demonstrating candidate weapon technologies in an operational environment to iteratively mature directed energy technologies to a production representative design. The program element may also include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. Additionally, the program seeks to leverage industry and sister service prototypes for field evaluation and acquisition readiness assessments in the best interest of the Air Force. The program's schedule details indicate a focus on maturing high energy laser and high power microwave systems for base area defense in preparation for transitioning prototype weapon systems to programs of record from FY 2022 through FY 2028.