Directed Energy Technology

The Directed Energy Technology program (PE 0602605F) is a research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiative managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) under the Department of the Air Force. Its primary objective is to advance high-impact, multi-domain science and technology (S&T) solutions in the field of directed energy, focusing on high energy laser (HEL) and high power electromagnetic (HPEM) technologies. The program aims to address critical Air Force requirements in countering adversary unmanned aerial systems (c-UAS), intelligence/surveillance/reconnaissance (c-ISR), missiles (c-Missile), and electronics (c-Electronic), supporting both lethal and non-lethal applications. The research conducted under this program is foundational, feeding into higher technology readiness level (TRL) demonstrations and future system development efforts.

Lasers & Imaging Technology (624866) is a project within this program element that explores the technical feasibility of high power lasers and associated beam control technologies. Its goals include developing and assessing laser sources for applications such as aircraft and force protection, as well as precision engagement from Air Force platforms. The project investigates the effects of laser weapons on various systems and components and develops assessment tools to guide technology selection. In FY 2025, efforts focused on developing beacon illuminating lasers and fiber optic amplifiers with improved resistance to nonlinear effects. This budget line is being transferred to another program element (PE1206601SF) in FY 2026 as part of a technology realignment, and no further activities are planned under this line item after FY 2025.

Advanced Weapons & Survivability Technology (624867) is dedicated to advancing high power electromagnetics (HPEM), including high power microwave (HPM) sources, antennas, plasmas, particle beams, and millimeter waves. The project's objectives are to develop non-kinetic and non-lethal counter-electronics technologies for force protection, point defense, and high-value airborne asset (HVAA) protection. Key activities include improving solid-state devices for pulse power systems, exploring novel antenna designs to reduce size and weight, and advancing modeling and simulation tools for directed energy weapons.

In FY 2026, the project will initiate evaluations of particle beam technologies, continue antenna and pulse power development, and resume efforts to expand the database of high power microwave sources, particularly solid-state variants. These efforts are intended to inform future technology demonstrations and support operational suitability in diverse environments.

Within Advanced Weapons & Survivability Technology, a significant focus is placed on modeling, simulation, and analysis to assess the military utility and effects of HPM systems. The project develops sophisticated models to evaluate the lethality and vulnerability of targets to HPM effects, supports wargaming and mission-level analysis, and collaborates with the broader defense modeling community.

In FY 2026, the program will continue to enhance simulation tools, update vulnerability modules for both lasers and HPM, and support the transition of these capabilities to operational planners and system developers. These activities are crucial for understanding the operational impact of directed energy technologies and guiding future investments.

Laser Technology (625173) focuses on advancing continuous wave (CW) and pulsed laser sources, optical beam combination and control, and beam propagation techniques. The project's goals include integrating these technologies into laboratory-level demonstration packages for Air Force applications such as c-UAS, c-ISR, and c-Missile defense, as well as HVAA protection and point defense. Research efforts also encompass lethality enhancement through laser effect testing and the development of predictive, multi-physics modeling tools to optimize laser weapon system designs.

In FY 2026, the project will continue subsystem technology development, refine vulnerability models for emerging threats, and support the transition of modeling and simulation tools to DoD and industry partners.

The Laser Technology project also supports participation in Department of Defense-wide wargames and tabletop exercises to develop and validate laser weapon system engagement concepts. In FY 2026, the project will initiate model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and digital engineering constructs to inform the development of future laser weapon system demonstrators. These efforts are designed to ensure that the Air Force remains at the forefront of laser technology integration, with a focus on transitioning laboratory advancements into fieldable capabilities.