June 26 - 27, 2023
| Hilton Syon Park, London, UK
Agenda Day 1
8:00 - 9:00
REGISTRATION & COFFEE
8:50 - 9:00
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS
9:00 - 9:30
PREPARING TO ACQUIRE AND DEPLOY DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS
Matthew Speakman -
Assistant Head for Novel Weapons, Weapons Evaluation and Capability Assurance, Finance & Military Capability Group,
UK MoD
· Introduction to the MOD Novel Weapons Team
· Objectives of the UK MOD in relation to Novel Weapons
· Aims of the Novel Weapons Programme
· Programme Work Packages
Matthew Speakman
Assistant Head for Novel Weapons, Weapons Evaluation and Capability Assurance, Finance & Military Capability GroupUK MoD
9:30 - 10:00
PREPARING TO ACQUIRE AND DEPLOY DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS: CONTINUED
· Understanding the link between the Novel Weapons Programme and Directed Energy Weapons
· The path forward for Directed Energy Systems in the UK
· Analysing the future capabilities of Directed Energy Systems
10:00 - 11:40
INDUSTRY LEADERS PANEL DISCUSSION: IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES WITHIN DIRECTED ENERGY SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT
Mike Pereria -
Business Development, High Energy Lasers,
Raytheon
Jeffery Troester - Directed Energy Systems Integration Lead, Honeywell Aerospace
During these formative years of directed energy systems development, the question of weapons integration is the principal ambition of militaries around the globe.This panel discussion will showcase members of directed energy programs to discuss their immediate priorities within the development of operational directed energy systems.
Format: A discussion among industry professionals followed by a live question round from the audience.
Objectives: To help the audience to gain an insight into the current status of directed energy systems development across a range of companies and provide a unique opportunity for attendees to have their questions answered by industry professionals.
Key Questions:
· What are the major trends in the industry?
· What is the projected timeline for operational DES among NATO countries?
· What are the main technological challenges that need to be overcome?
· What will be the key challenges faced by end-users in using DES?
11:00 - 11:30
MORNING COFFEE AND NETWORKING
11:30 - 12:00
DIRECTED ENERGY S&T PORTFOLIO OVERVIEW
Kelly Hammett, SES -
Director, Directed Energy Directorate,
Air Force Research Laboratory, US Air Force
· Overview of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Directed Energy (DE) Directorate’s program the Self-protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) and scientific research portfolio
· Feedback from Demonstrator Laser Weapon System (DLWS) tested against air launched missiles in flight and the lessons learned
· The roadmap towards creating a smaller and lighter SHiELD system which is ruggedized for an airborne environment
· Current research into High-Power Microwaves within the DE Directorate
Kelly Hammett, SES
Director, Directed Energy DirectorateAir Force Research Laboratory, US Air Force
12:00 - 12:30
ACC DIRECTED ENERGY LETHALITY ACTIVITIES: DE CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
Colonel Craig Nieman -
Chief,
Advanced Weapons Systems Division, Air Combat Command
· Driving laser beaming capabilities in support of advanced lethality
· Challenges associated with DE integration efforts: necessary next steps
· Initiatives to put DE capabilities into the Warfighter’s hands
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH
13:30 - 14:00
THE U.S. AND OPERATIONAL DIRECTED ENERGY SYSTEMS
· Insight into the Science & Technology, Experimentation, and Prototyping functions of the USAF Research
· The foundation for the Directed Energy combined test force
· US Air Force Directed Energy Weapons Flight Plan: current experimentation work and the path forward.
14:00 - 15:50
PANEL DISCUSSION: THE PATH FROM DES RESEARCH TO USE IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE
Kelly Hammett, SES -
Director, Directed Energy Directorate,
Air Force Research Laboratory, US Air Force
Colonel Craig Nieman - Chief, Advanced Weapons Systems Division, Air Combat Command
The requirements and integration of DES is formed through research, testing, experimentation, and use of the system. This panel discussion hosts representatives from each function within the U.S. and will deliver perspectives on DES from each stage of the process.
Format: A discussion among key representatives from the DES lifecycle stages within the U.S. followed by a live question round from the audience.
Objectives: To help the audience to gain an insight into the process and roadmap of directed energy systems development across the U.S. and provide a unique opportunity for attendees to have their questions answered.
Key Questions:
· What is the communication structure between the research, experimentation, testing, and use functions?
· How are the key operational requirements of DES taken into account at each stage?
· What is currently the biggest priority across all functions?
· What are the main technological challenges in each area that need to be overcome?
Kelly Hammett, SES
Director, Directed Energy DirectorateAir Force Research Laboratory, US Air Force
15:00 - 15:30
AFTERNOON TEA AND NETWORKING
15:30 - 16:00
THE STATUS OF HIGH-ENERGY LASER INTERCEPT TECHNOLOGY IN SOUTH KOREA
· An overview of South Korea’s high-energy laser capabilities
· Reviewing the laser counter-UAS air defence prototype to demonstrate cost-effective defence
· The use of high-energy lasers within South Korea’s national defence strategy
16:00 - 16:30
ADVANCEMENTS IN HIGH-ENERGY LASER DEVELOPMENT IN JAPAN
· An overview of Japan’s current strategic threat landscape, with regard to missile/air/naval threats, and how and why this underlines the importance of DES development
· The current ability of high-energy laser systems and the potential military applications of the HEL programme in Japan
· Future DES vision – from GBAD to naval capability enhancement
· Challenges and lessons from Japan’s own laser programme, and what opportunities exist for international development and coordination In this field
· Looking towards the projected future capabilities of Japans high-energy laser system
