ARLINGTON, Va.—In pursuit of maritime lasers, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) is co-sponsoring the Directed Energy Professional Society’s (DEPS) annual symposium for the first time Nov. 14-18 in La Jolla, Calif.
“Naval Sea Systems Command has co-sponsored the event all three times for the Navy, but since ONR is doing so much work in directed energy—including fiber lasers, solid state lasers and free-electron laser—it seemed appropriate for ONR to take the lead this year,” said Dr. Roger McGinnis, program executive for innovative naval prototypes in ONR’s Naval Air Warfare and Weapons Department and DEPS program committee member.
The weeklong conference brings together academic, government and industry experts in directed energy disciplines, including high-power microwave systems and non-lethal weapons. DEPS rotates the sponsorship annually among the Air Force, Army and Navy.
“We’re very pleased to have ONR as a member of the team,” said Dr. Sam Blankenship, DEPS executive director. “The partnership allows Navy officials to emphasize a lot of the programs the department is pursuing.”
As co-sponsor of DEPS’ 14th annual symposium, ONR is facilitating panel discussions and organizing speakers and technical presentations on topics ranging from air and missile defense to vehicle and vessel stopping. Department of the Navy officials will highlight recent successes in tests and demonstrations of prototype laser systems.
“We are seeing more interest from the operational Navy for the capability of directed energy weapons as a way of increasing the options that naval warfighters have for self-defense response,” said Mike Deitchman, department head for ONR’s Naval Air Warfare and Weapons Department and chairman for the symposium.
The keynote speaker for the conference is Rear Adm. Mathias W. Winter, commander of the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division and assistant commander for test and evaluation at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). He will be followed by six panel sessions—two of them focusing on industry with representatives from both large companies and small firms—that will provide attendees with insights into ongoing weapon development efforts.
Symposium organizers will webcast select sessions, including the large-industry panel, the Nov. 15 keynote speaker, a presentation on fiber lasers and an international session on high-energy lasers and high-power microwave systems.
For more information, go to www.onr.navy.mil or www.deps.org.