Directed Energy Directorate Overview

The Directed Energy Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory is the Department of Defense's center of expertise for lasers, high-power microwaves, and other directed energy technologies. The directorate conducts research into a variety of energies that might be transformed into future weapons systems.

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.

Vision

Mission