Laboratory Information:
AFRL - Directed Energy Directorate
3550 Aberdeen Avenue S.E.
Kirtland AFB, NM 87117
Phone: 505-846-8056
Fax: 505-846-5034
Email: mary.archuleta@kirtland.af.mil
Website: http://www.kirtland.af.mil/afrl_de/
Agency/Department: Dept. of Defense - Air Force
Region: Mid-Continent
FLC Laboratory Representative:
Ms. Mary Archuleta
Phone: 505-846-8056
Fax: 505-846-5034
Email: mary.archuleta@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, New Mexico, 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:
- Thermal distortion test facility
- High-energy microwave laboratory
- High-energy research and technology facility
- Optics development and beam control facility
- National hover test facility
- Supercomputer center
- Visualization laboratory
- Research library
- Machine, sheet metal, woodworking, welding and painting shops
- Starfire optical range
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
