Laboratory Information:
AFRL - Directed Energy Directorate
3550 Aberdeen Avenue S.E.
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117
Website: http://www.kirtland.af.mil/afrl_de/
Agency/Department: Dept. of Defense - Air Force
Region: Mid-Continent
FLC Laboratory Representative:
Ms. Casey DeRaad
Phone: 505-846-9352
Fax: 505-853-4883
Email: casey.deraad@kirtland.af.mil
Background/History of the Laboratory:
The Air Force Research Laboratory's Directed
Energy Directorate develops high- energy lasers, high- power
microwaves, and other directed energy technologies for the United States Air Force and the Department
of
Defense. The Directorate is also involved with advanced optics and imaging technologies to improve the
nation's
ability to precisely project these directed energies at the speed of light anywhere, at any time and
with graduated
intensity. A key organization on Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.., the Directed Energy Directorate has
more than 800
people (including in-house contractors) and operates with an annual budget of more than $300 million.
The
Directed Energy Directorate is one of 10 similarly sized subordinate units that comprise Air Force Research
Laboratory, the Department of Defense's largest laboratory, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base,
Ohio. With approximately 6,000 military and civilian employees at nine bases throughout the United States,
Air
Force Research Laboratory is responsible for research and technology development in support of the Air
Force's
future and existing aerospace and space weapons systems.
Mission of the Laboratory:
-
Develop, integrate, and transition science
and technology for directed energy to include high power
microwaves, lasers, adaptive optics, imaging, and effects to assure the preeminence of the United
States in air and space.
- To support user needs for directed energy weapons applications
and to address mission area
deficiencies. To exploit directed energy technology for Air Force and Department of Defense
applications.
- To avoid technological surprise.
- To foster user awareness of the potential of directed
energy for Air Force and Department of Defense
applications.
- To explore directed energy technology that offers high
payoff for directed energy capabilities and
applications.
Facilities:
Technology Transfer Mechanisms:
- Contact with provider groups
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
- Coordination with SBIR program
- Other: Alliance for Photonic Technologies
- Outreach
- Patent marketing/licensing
- Publications
- Training
- University liaison
- Use of contracted support
Technology Areas of Expertise:
- Counter Electronics
- Force Protection
- Long Range Strike
- Precision Engagement
- Space Control
