Directed Energy Weaponry

Just to pass the time I did some research into the current state of directed energy weaponry (DEW).In both Byron King’s POET recommendation and Lee Shepherd’s Toronto presentation, The DEW was highlighted as a military application.Also, in the latest corporate overview this capability is described for the first time.

It turns out that this kind of weapon has been a major focus of the US military after nuclear bombs became a matter of scale.There is actually an AFRL Directed Energy Directorate headquartered at Kirtland Air Force base http://www.kirtland.af.mil/afrl_de/.No doubt they are aware of POET and are anxiously awaiting the completion of the milestones as we are.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_Research_Laboratory#Directed_Energy_Directorate

Here’s a video that is a bit out of date (uploaded 2006, but looks much older) but it highlights the importance of AFRL’s program.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSGprwJx_zs

And for anyone with lots of time on their hands here’s a link to some really good information on te capabilities of the US and other countries in this area:

http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-DEW-HEL-Analysis.html

It’s interesting to note that in the above link, Copp describes two types of “genuine” directed energy weapons:High Energy Laser (HEL) weapons, High Power Microwave (HPM) weapons.Recall that a milestone was added to the to-do this year which included developing microwave capabilities of the HFETs.I don’t know for sure if this was for the DEW capabilities of POET, but it was completed by BAE.

I’m not sure if these are in the same class of weaponry as the other DEWs, but here’s a “Pain Ray” currently in use that’s not meant to be lethal:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkGHgsgc6es

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr3qJ0racd0

Finally, here are a couple of recent articles on DEWs:

http://sincedutch.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/492013-us-navy-laser-cannon-laws-laser-weapon-system-set-to-be-deployed-in-mideast/

http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=73234

http://science.dodlive.mil/2013/01/25/everybody-loves-lasers/

Unfortunately, my searches for current initiatives at AFRL or BAE turn up very little.The navy the army are the most visible military sectors, and the contractors are usually anyone but BAE.This may be a good thing if BAE is really focussed on getting POET lasers to the finish line.This will put AFRL and BAE on the map in a big way!