Dr. Steven Fiorino and Rick Bartell of the Center for Directed Energy and AFIT graduate Maj. D. Narcisse published an article, “Optimizing the Effectiveness of Directed Energy Weapons with Specialized Weather Support,” in Volume 23, Number 2 of the Air and Space Power Journal. This seminal piece outlines the critical importance of technical weather impacts on future directed energy weapon engagements.

The paper asserts that accurate characterization of the atmosphere is essential to maximizing the use of directed energy (DE) weapons. Developing, procuring, and sustaining such weapons has been and will continue to be difficult; therefore, it is imperative that they achieve optimum effect when employed. The atmosphere, a highly dynamic medium in which these systems must operate, can significantly impact their effectiveness, thus necessitating an understanding of this environment and a capability to predict it. DE systems, particularly high-energy lasers (HEL) employed at low altitudes, will exhibit significant variations in performance based on location, time of day, and time of year. Through the Air Force Weather Agency, the Air Force Weather (AFW) community provides centralized terrestrial and space weather support to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force, Army, unified commands, national intelligence community, and other agencies as directed. The article then outlines some of the unique atmospheric influences on DE weapons and the ways that specialized weather support can enhance the mission capability and efficacy of those weapons.

The paper concludes that with continued funding for research and focused advocacy by senior leaders, an already robust AFW community can transform itself into a superior support provider for DE weapons and an enhancer of employment. Funding from High Energy Laser-Joint Technology Office (HEL-JTO), major military commands, and the Army can help answer how best to mitigate and/or, perhaps, ultimately exploit atmospheric effects in the employment of DE weapons. Current research efforts that translate easily into operational decision aids for atmospheric characterization and assessment must be encouraged. Education and training in DE weapons are necessary for senior leaders and for people at all levels of the Air Force weather community to ensure weapons effectiveness against potential enemies. The United States’ adversaries are not waiting for tomorrow; they are acting today.