The Center for Directed Energy (CDE) at the Air Force Institute of Technology, in conjunction with the Directed Energy Professional Society (DEPS), will offer the Laser Weapon Systems Short Course at the AFIT on Wright-Patterson Air Force Base from 26-30 October 2009. This insightful, industry-unique short course now has an associated textbook, An Introduction to Laser Weapon Systems, written by Glen P. Perram, Salvatore J. Cusumano, Robert L. Hengehold, and Steven T. Fiorino. A complete overview of laser weapon systems, including laser devices (chemical, solid state, and free electron), laser subsystems (power, thermal management, fluid supply), beam control (beam directors, tracking and control, adaptive optics), atmospheric propagation, targets and lethality, engagement scenarios, and weapon system performance is covered. The course emphasizes concepts, terminology, current technological capabilities, and systems concepts. The course does not develop key relationships from first principles; however, it highlights the limitations on the effectiveness of high energy laser (HEL) weapons and key performance trade-offs. Application of these concepts to current systems will include the historical Airborne Laser Laboratory, Airborne Laser, Tactical High Energy Laser, Advanced Tactical Laser, and Space-Based Laser programs. The effectiveness of HEL weapons on the battlefield will be simulated using engagement and mission level models. The course includes a number of extended, worked problems, including a simplified calculation of weapon effectiveness for a high altitude, long range, air-to-air engagement.
Topics to be covered include:
Students earn 3.2 CEU from DEPS for successful completion of the course. Student performance is assessed by a series of pass-fail written exercises.
The 32-hour course starts mid-day Monday and continues through mid-day Friday to eliminate weekend travel for most attendees.
This course is taught by AFIT professors, Dr. Glen Perram, Dr. Robert Hengehold, Dr. Salvatore Cusumano, and Dr. Steven Fiorino. This course is offered through the Directed Energy Professional Society, with funding support from the HEL Joint Technology Office. The course registration fee of $1695 includes all course materials. To enroll in the course, visit the DEPS website at http://www.deps.org/DEPSpages/HELshortcourse.html. For more information, please contact the CDE Executive Administrator, Taylor Thompson, Ctr., at 937-255-3636 ext. 4600.
