WSTIAC Quarterly

Volume 7, Number 1

Winter 2007

WSTIAC is a DoD Information 

Analysis Center Sponsored by the

Defense Technical Information Center 

4

INTRODUCTION: THE CHALLENGE OF ASYMMETRIC WARFARE

Recent military engagements have made it apparent that US forces need new weapon systems that

can provide an alternative response to the asymmetric warfare that they face while under the continuous scrutiny of a global media environment. There are many challenges facing the US military, government agencies, and law enforcement which include an increasing spectrum of missions

as the world situation changes. The US military is currently involved in two major operations in

the Middle East, peace-keeping missions in Europe, support of national allies, and protection of

US interests around the world. The US Army reports that it has deployed 251,000 soldiers in 120

countries as of 21 November 2006 [1]. None of these deployments are traditional state-versusstate warfare operations. The majority of current engagements involving hostilities include:

• Non-state agencies attacking an established government for political objectives

• Non-state agencies attacking an established government for criminal activities

• Non-state agencies attacking a local population for religious reasons

These situations illustrate what has come to be known as asymmetric warfare. Other terms that

are used to describe this type of action are insurgency, civil disturbance, and civil war. Asymmetric warfare has been defined as “leveraging inferior tactical or operational strength against the vulnerabilities of a superior opponent to achieve disproportionate effect with the aim of undermining

the opponent’s will...”[2] In simple terms, an adversary will avoid engaging US military strengths.

In asymmetric warfare, adversaries use a number of different tactics and techniques to achieve

their objectives. These include terrorism, guerilla warfare, information and public relations campaigns, and other forms of violence. These tactics center on the strategy of avoiding direct tactical engagement against superior military forces. Examples of such tactics include using human

shields to prevent return fire, taking cover and hiding in buildings with cultural significance,

intermingling with the indigenous population, and concealing their own identities. Tactics of

unrestrained violence often involve striking at noncombatant populations and nonmilitary facilities in order to force the superior military to constantly react to a changing threat.

These asymmetric warfare tactics present a major challenge for United States organizations

which are structured, equipped, and trained for traditional force-on-force engagements. US military units operate with standard equipment, which ranges from individual and crew served

weapons to airborne weapons, direct fire weapons, anti-armor weapons, and indirect fire weapons

[3]. The current weapons used are classified as conventional munitions systems. Conventional

munitions rely upon explosive force for lethal and less-than-lethal functions. As a result, these

weapons may cause collateral damage and unintended injury to noncombatants, and may also

leave behind unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war [4]. These weapons are

appropriate and necessary when lethal force is required for the mission at hand. However, they

can be very detrimental to the mission in stability operations where public opinion is critical for

mission success.

Charles E. Park

Gleason Research Associates, Inc.

Huntsville, AL

continued on page 3

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Contents

Directed Energy Weapons 

and the Asymmetric Fight 1

Director’s Corner 2

In the News 7

WSTIAC Success Story:

Longbow Apache Block III 9

TEMS Update 9

WSTIAC Courses: 

Directed Energy 10

Sensors/Seekers 11

Smart/Precision Weapons 12

Weaponeering 13

Calendar of Events 14
Welcome to the winter edition of our newsletter. The feature

article is by Mr. Chuck Park, Vice President for Directed

Energy Applications at Gleason Research Associates. In his

article, Mr. Park discusses directed energy applications and

makes a suggestion to field a specific capability, the Active

Denial System (ADS), which can

make a difference now. Contributing to this issue is my Chief Scientist, Dr. Ed Scannell who is a

directed energy weapons expert.

Directed energy systems provide

the capability to destroy, defeat or

deter the enemy using radiated

waves or beams of microscopic particles. I’ll leave the technical details

to the article but what really got my

attention – literally and figuratively

– is the capability to deter the

enemy without permanent damage to the individual or the

infrastructure. The Active Denial System generates a temporary sensation that is unbearable to even the strongest willed

and pain tolerant individuals. I know because I experienced

the sensation at the Space and Missile Defense Conference

and Exhibition in Huntsville, Alabama, this past summer. I

could not stand the sensation for even a second. It feels like a

severe stinging or burning sensation that you just want to get

away from. As Mr. Park will describe in his article, it is not just

me. The Air Force conducted more than 10,000 tests (exposures) over the course of a decade. What they found was: 1)

even the strongest physical and mental candidates could not

withstand the sensation and 2) the effects are temporary, i.e.,

nonlethal, and meet current laws, federal regulations and procedures for testing. Another benefit of the ADS and most

other directed energy systems is that it causes no infrastructure

(buildings, electrical, phone, etc.) damage, so the tools are still

there for noncombatants to continue to live productive lives.

I’m going to ask and provide my answers for the five basic

questions regarding the ADS System: who, what, where, when

and how.

Who could use the capability?

• US and friendly military and police units.

What can you do with this capability?

• Deter a threat by clearing an area and provide a safe zone.

• Isolate the threat from the noncombatants. Provide

advance notice that the capability will be used. The noncombatants will voluntarily clear the area leaving only

the threat (if they can stand it) which then can be defeated by conventional means.

• Leave infrastructure in place so the noncombatants can

live productive lives.

Where can we use this capability?

• Iraq, Afghanistan, and other urban threat operations that

need safe zone protection.

When can we use this capability?

• We can use this capability immediately. However, steps

must be taken to fully train, support and sustain fielded

units.

How can we use this capability as quickly as possible?

• Promote capabilities to the User and Acquisition communities.

• Get agreement and approval on the need.

• Get agreement on a demonstration in an operational environment. (An Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration and other testing on a vehicle mounted design

were completed in 2005 and 2006.)

• Develop, execute and maintain training for receiving and

fielded units.

• Develop, execute and sustain support for receiving and

fielded units.

• Attain accelerated acquisition approval through DoD as

a Transformational Capability – possibly an Acquisition

Challenge, Rapid Fielding, etc. program.

• We need to get it out there and see what it can do.

The above represents my views on a capability that has the

potential to really make a difference in the near-term and well

into the future. I’m sure there are aspects of fielding a nearterm capability that are not totally flushed out that will need

to be addressed. However, the one thing we owe our current

and near-term future war fighters is to get this potential ‘silver

bullet’ through the system and into the field as quickly as possible to see if it can:

• Save lives,

• Deter insurgents, and

• Win over the Americans, Iraqis, Afghanis, and other

populace.

I, for one, think it’s worth a try.

Please provide feedback on this important subject.

Sincerely,

Gary

Gary J. Gray

Director

The WSTIAC Newsletter is the current awareness publication of the Weapon Systems Technology Information Analysis

Center (WSTIAC). WSTIAC, a Department of Defense (DoD) Information Analysis Center (IAC), is administratively managed by the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) under the DoD IAC Program.

WSTIAC Director: Mr. Gary J. Gray Database Inquiries: Vakare Valaitis

703.933.3317, Email: gjgray@alionscience.com 703.933.3362, Email: vvalaitis@alionscience.com

Internet: http://iac.dtic.mil/wstiac/

All data and information herein reported are believed to be reliable; however, no warrant, expressed or implied, is to be construed as

to the accuracy or the completeness of the information presented. The views, opinions, and findings contained in this publication are

those of the author(s) and should not be construed as an official Agency position, policy, or decision, unless so designated by other 

official documentation.

Director’s Corner
Stability operations taking place among an indigenous population

require minimal collateral damage to structures, thereby protecting

and supporting the local economy. Such operations must avoid

casualties to local civilians to maintain good standing among the

indigenous population. Yet, the weapon systems must be effective in

the urban environment to provide an overall sense of security

among the population. The weapons that US forces are required to

perform their duties with are not well-suited for these new battlefield environments and mission tactics. As a result there is a need for

weapons that are ultra-precise and scaleable in their effects on targets in populated areas. There currently exists weapons technology

that has the potential to fill the current

capability gap.

Bridging the Capability Gap

Gaps in current capability will always exist

when the threat, the political environment,

and technology are endlessly changing. Military history is replete with examples of

gaining a technology lead in one area only

to lose that edge to an effective countermeasure. However, there are technologies that

force a major shift in warfare. Weapons that

provide significant changes in range, lethality, and speed of operations have changed

warfare from static engagements to highspeed maneuver operations. Ballistic systems forced major changes in defensive

operations from fortifications. The continuous evolution in conventional munitions

led to total war in World War II with whole

cities being reduced to rubble. Global information systems have changed world opinion on this level of devastation.

The world demands less random

destruction and lethality in military operations. Thus, the challenge is to complete

the mission of finding, fixing, engaging,

and destroying the enemy without destroying the surrounding environment. Directed energy weapons (DEWs) provide a

potential solution to the difficulties US

forces face in their new battlefield environment.

A PROPOSED NEAR TERM SOLUTION

The Active Denial System (ADS) is one example of a directed energy weapon (DEW) that can be effectively used for counter personnel and crowd control in the asymmetric warfare environment.

Colonel David Karcher, Director of the Joint Nonlethal Weapons

Directorate describes the real environment and a potential solution.

“If, in the future, a group of civilians and enemy soldiers

mass on a strategic bridge and refuse to leave, the military

may use non-lethal means to confront the problem. This

could be done using ADS [5]. With significant strategic

implications, ADS could play an important role by slowly

and deliberately sweeping the unruly crowd off and away

from the bridge, thus allowing forces to traverse the bridge

and avoid a dangerous backlash that would likely have

resulted from using deadly force, or the threats of such

force, to otherwise clear the bridge.”[6]

This is a perfect example of how directed energy can be used to

shape the engagement, control access, and deny adversaries movements in an engagement—since all of this is accomplished in a nonlethal manner, the ADS (Figure 1) is a DEW that is also considered

to be a nonlethal weapon (NLW).

Three examples of where the Active Denial System could have

near-term impacts are:

• Crowded streets in an urban environment with noncombatant

population.

• Critical infrastructure protection including nonmilitary facilities.

• Sniper / ambush response in open terrain,

mountain terrain, and urban areas.

The crowded street scenario is encountered

every day in current operations around the

globe. Being visible and present in the daily

environment creates a sense of security and

supports stability operation objectives for

building rapport with the local population.

Adversaries have used this situation to attack

US forces or the local population to intimidate and destroy that sense of security. Conventional munitions and kinetic-based

nonlethal systems drive everyone from the

scene which destroys any sense of security.

Insurgents have attacked non-military targets around the globe to achieve their objectives. A fixed Active Denial System can be

deployed with integrated sensors to provide

protection. Remote automated controls have

been developed, tested, and demonstrated

that the system can be controlled without

exposing operators.

Countering snipers has challenged military

and law enforcement agencies for many years,

with preventing the first shot being the

toughest challenge. The second toughest challenge is preventing a second shot. Both challenges require a holistic, or systems, approach

that includes topography analysis, preemptive

patrols, electronic surveillance, and constant

vigilance to reduce casualties. However, the

advantage remains with any well-trained sniper. The Active Denial

System could be deployed with an integrated sensor suite to provide

the earliest possible detection. Automated cueing from infrared,

optical, or acoustic sensors could be integrated with steering controls to provide an accurate aiming system. Automated systems control with man-in-the-loop overrides would initiate a short

engagement cycle to force the sniper to move. The beam bounces

inside of enclosures (rooms, “hides”, etc.) to force a sniper to move.

This nonlethal response increases the opportunity for positive identification and engagement with more lethal means.

ADS STATUS

The Active Denial System is a counter-personnel nonlethal, directed energy weapon.[8] This program began in 1989 with a capability need statement. A stationary “Base 0” system was funded in

1997 to develop the technology. An Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) took the system to a vehicle mounted

system (Figure 2). Subsequent testing and application of lessons

http://iac.dtic.mil/wstiac/ The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1 3

Figure 1. An antenna atop a transportable

shelter is the most visible portion of the

Active Denial Technology test bed on Kirtland

Air Force Base. This technology uses a millimeter wave beam of energy to create an

intense heating sensation that repels people

without causing permanent injury. (Photo

Courtesy of US Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate.) [7]

continued from page 1
4 The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1

learned has prepared the system to go through three Military 

Utility Assessments from 2005 to 2006. The system fills the gap for

“...a long range rapid repel and deterrent capability”.[8]

The ADS system generates a 95 gigahertz millimeter wave. A

trained operator controls the systems antenna through a software

controlled interface. An integrated bore-sight

suite gives the operator clear view of the entire

beam path and target area. Safety enhancements

in the software controls the duration of the

beam to generate a safe and effective nonlethal

repel. The target feels an intolerable heat sensation, but the effect is temporary and ends when

the target leaves the beam or the beam is terminated. The sensation stimulates an aversion

response in the target which adds a self-limiting

exposure limit by the target. The US Air Force

has conducted over a decade of testing and evaluation of human effects data. More than 10,000

exposures have been documented to ensure the

system meets all laws, federal regulations, and

procedures for testing.

Benefits of Directed Energy

The ability of DEW systems to interact with

their targets in a new and unique way is also

what makes them transformational weapons. At low power levels,

DE has the potential of also providing extremely accurate targeting,

passive and reflective sensing and target identification, high datarate communications, and especially nonlethal target effects on

both target electronics and personnel; i.e., just enough energy on

target to cause a mission failure (sometimes termed a “soft kill” as

opposed to a destructive mode “hard”, or “kinetic” kill). At high

enough powers, DEWs can, however, provide

enough energy on target to “burn-through” the

skins of aircraft and missiles, providing the

“kinetic energy” (KE) type kills of conventional ordnance.

Directed energy systems convert electrical or

chemical energy into a beam or pulse effect that

can be regulated by the operator. Because they

are based on radiated energy, the operator

potentially can vary the beam to achieve specific results. The operator manipulates the intensity, duration, and wavelength, and thereby, the

focus of the beam. This control could provide

the operator very precise control over any

engagement. Automated controls enable the

systems to precisely manage the output in time

critical engagement events.

DEW Characteristics

Directed energy systems have seven (7) unique

characteristics that make them attractive in tactical operations.[9]

1. Speed of light engagements at 300,000 km per second

Any discussion of directed energy must recognize the difference between long-term potential and shortterm reality. There is no doubt that existing long-term development programs will provide significant

military capability in the future. However, directed energy has also demonstrated its maturity and

readiness for current operations in three different mission tasks from the Army Universal Task List [1],

the Army Force Operating Capabilities, or the Joint Universal Task List documents. These include

demonstrated abilities to engage and destroy rockets, artillery, mortars, unexploded ordnance, minefields, and explosive remnants of war; and perform unit level force protection tasks.

Defining Directed Energy

Directed Energy Weapons are typically defined as devices that destroy/defeat targets using radiated

waves or beams of microscopic particles. With this definition, future DEWs may include systems that

are based on other principles in addition to electromagnetic energy, such as acoustic waves and

fluid/particle systems.[2] Present DEWs are only based on electromagnetic energy principles and

include Laser, Charged Particle Beam (CPB) and Radio Frequency (RF)/High Power Microwave

(HPM) systems, each of which projects energy that travels at (or near in the case of CPBs) the speed

of light toward the target. Because of the physical nature of their radiation source, lasers are a point

weapon, while RF/HPM sources have “radar-like” antenna patterns, and are therefore considered an

area weapon.

Electromagnetic DEW systems span the electromagnetic spectrum. Energy systems are classified by

frequency and/or wavelength. This includes gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet, the visible spectrum,

infrared, terahertz radiation, microwave, and radio waves. Directed energy systems currently include

lasers (Figure 1), high powered microwave, high power millimeter wave, dazzling visible lights, and

pulse energy systems.[3]

Categorization of DEWs

The DoD’s HPM program includes wideband RF, and a HPM sub-group addresses all of RF-DEW. In

general, high energy laser (HEL) DEWs lie in the infrared through visible light frequency bands, while

high power microwave (HPM) weapons lie in the lower frequency microwave bands (i.e., between 800

MHz to 3 GHz), which are shown in Figure 1. With the nomogram provided in Figure 2, frequency

values can be converted to wavelengths. It should also be pointed out that a common misnomer is to

Directed Energy: 

the Promise and the Reality

Dr. Edward P. Scannell

Alion Science and Technology

Lanham, MD

Figure 2. Vehicle Mounted Active

Denial System. The sensation causes

targeted individuals to repel or

retreat. (Photo Courtesy of US Air

Force Research Laboratory’s Directed

Energy Directorate.) [7]

Figure 1. A technician evaluates

the interaction of multiple lasers

that will be used aboard the 

Airborne Laser, a megawatt-class

laser weapon system being developed to defend against ballistic

missile attacks. The Directed 

Energy Directorate conducts

research into beam-control 

technologies. (Photo Courtesy of

US Air Force Research Laboratory’s

Directed Energy Directorate.) [4]
http://iac.dtic.mil/wstiac/ The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1 5

2. Simplified engagement calculations without having to consider gravitational pull or aerodynamic drag

3. Ultra-precise targeting at extreme ranges (especially for laser

weapons)

4. Scaleable effects

5. Low per-shot cost

6. Deep magazine

7. Dual use as sensors

These systems also have negative characteristics that must be

considered as well. These include sensitivities to conductive material for radio frequency transmissions; and atmospheric dissipation

with dust, moisture, and turbulence (especially with lasers—but

manageable with recent advances). Finally, control and beam focus

on the highest frequency beams is difficult. The combination of

positive and negative characteristics allows directed energy to complement conventional munitions systems in the full spectrum of

military missions.

Two other examples demonstrate how these energy systems have

been developed, tested, analyzed, and in some cases applied in specific mission areas. These include countering rockets, artillery, and

mortars (C-RAM); and clearing unexploded ordnance (UXO) in a

battlefield environment.

Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM)

One example of the Rocket Artillery and Mortar threat is the 2006

conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli Defense Forces. Hezbollah,

a non-state agent, fired 4,228 rockets into Israel in a 30 day period.[10] The Middle East Intelligence Bulletin estimated the

Hezbollah rocket arsenal at “up to 10,000 short and long-range

rockets”.[11] The inexpensive, easy–to-make short-range ballistic

rocket has become one of the asymmetric warfare cornerstones.

The rocket meets all of the requirements for asymmetric warfare. It

can be fired from simple rail structures. Its primary purpose is to

create panic in the noncombatant population. The attacks forced

250,000 civilians to evacuate the region. Most economic activity in

northern Israel was suspended for a month.[12] The Tactical High

Energy Laser (THEL) has demonstrated that a directed energy system can complete the entire targeting and engagement kill-chain

within the limited flight time of these devices. (Another example

was just demonstrated against 60mm mortars by a Raytheon-Government team with their solid-state Laser Area Defense System

(LADS).[13]) This is just one example of how a laser system can be

used for defending friendly forces and critical facilities. Continued

experimentation of lasers in defensive and offensive roles concurrent with the development of new laser systems and components

will accelerate the Department of Defense effort to fill this existing

capability gap.

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Explosive Remnants of War

The Laser Ordnance Neutralization System (LONS) is another laser

system that has demonstrated its operational capability in the tactical environment. This system, called Zeus, has demonstrated the

ability to accurately use laser energy on unexploded ordnance

(UXO) to destroy the ordnance with standoff ranges. The Zeus

label HPM as “EMP,” since the latter refers specifically to the electromagnetic pulse (EMP) generated by a nuclear detonation, which is in

the very low microwave band, normally between 100 and 200 MHz.

Evolution of Weapons Technology

Directed Energy Weapons represent the natural next step in the “speed-of-light engagement” process, addressing the slowest part of the

detect-to-kill cycle; that is, actually delivering sufficient energy to a target to kill or disable it. This delay is due to the present dependency

of military platforms and weapon systems on the speeds of jet engines, rocket propulsion or detonation/deflagration of gunpowder and 

ballistic ordnance velocities. DEWs, however, will enable the user to place energy on a target at the speed of light, thereby matching the

“engagement” speed of the other parts of the “detect-to-kill” chain.

REFERENCES

[1] TRADOC Pamphlet 525-66 “Force Operating Capabilities,” Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, VA, July 2005.

[2] Scannell, E.P., “Directed Energy Weapons Training Course,” Weapons Systems Technology Information Analysis Center (WSTIAC), Defense Technical

Information Center (DTIC), Alion Science and Technology Corp., Annapolis MD, April 2005.

[3] Thompson, L., and D. Goure, “Directed Energy Applications Technologies, Applications, and Implications,” Lexington Institute, Washington DC; 

February 2003.

[4] Directed Energy Directorate Gallery, US Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate, http://www.de.afrl.af.mil/Gallery/index.aspx.

Figure 2. Electromagnetic

Spectrum and FrequencyWavelength Nomogram.

300

k m

3 0

k m k m

300

m

3 0

m m

300

m m

3 0

m m m m

300

μ m

3 0

μ m μ m

300

n m

3 0

n m n m

0.3

n m

INFRARED ULTR A VIOL ET

M IC ROWA V E VISIBLE

100

kHz

1 01 2

Hz

1 01 8

kHz Hz

1 0

kHz

100

M Hz M Hz

1 0

M Hz

100

GHz GHz

1 0

GHz

1 01 3

Hz

1 01 4

Hz

1 01 5

Hz

1 01 6

Hz

1 01 7

Hz

300

k m

3 0

k m k m

300

m

3 0

m m

300

m m

3 0

m m m m

300

μ m

3 0

μ m μ m

300

n m

3 0

n m n m

0.3

n m

INFRARED ULTR A VIOL ET

M IC ROWA V E

100

kHz

1 01 2

Hz

1 01 8

kHz Hz

1 0

kHz

100

M Hz M Hz

1 0

M Hz

100

GHz GHz

1 0

GHz

1 01 3

Hz

1 01 4

Hz

1 01 5

Hz

1 01 6

Hz

1 01 7

Hz

Microwave

Radar Bands nfrared

Visible

Ultraviolet

VLF L M H VHF UH SHF EHF
6 The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1

focuses laser energy on the casing of the UXO causing it to be

destroyed by internal combustion. The resulting low-order 

detonation combines with the standoff range to provide safety for

ordnance personnel. The system uses diesel fuel for the laser and

has no extraordinary chemical requirements. This system demonstrates that lasers are maturing quickly. Microwave sources also

hold the promise to act as a “superjammer” that could potentially initiate or neutralize fuzes and firing sets.

These scenarios represent threats that will be encountered by

agencies ranging from the military to emergency relief personnel.

It is reasonable to assume that adversaries will continue to attack

US interests around the globe. Directed energy offers new solutions to meet increasing threats.

A DEMONSTRATED CAPABILITY FOR 

THE CURRENT WAR FIGHTER

Directed Energy weapons hold the promise to be a transformational capability. Directed energy systems will expand current

organizational capabilities for precision engagements, scaleable

effects, and engaging time sensitive targets. The question is not if

there will be directed energy weapons, but rather when will the

weapons arrive on the battlefield.

Integrating transformational capability into the existing infrastructure is difficult and will require bold, transformational steps

in the requirements and acquisition community to insert these

capabilities into the future force.

Due to fundamental physical problems, some of the most desirable features of DEWs will remain in the future, such as completely “tunable” frequency DEW sources. However, through the

tunability of other source parameters, such as power, pulselength, and repetition rate, these weapons can deliver scalable

effects to a target—which is one the most desired capabilities, and

one that enables their use for nonlethal effects, especially in

counter-personnel applications, like the ADS.

The Active Denial System demonstrated a mature capability

through an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator and

multiple successful military utility experiments. The ADS supports maneuver, force protection, force application capability

objectives and the operating capability requirements have been

documented for current operations. The Active Denial System

provides operational capability in the expanded missions that can

not be satisfied with conventional weapons.

We owe our current and near-term future war fighters our best

efforts to get this potential ‘silver bullet’ through the system and

into the field as quickly as possible.

REFERENCES

[1] Area of Operations, US Army, www.army.mil/institution/operations,

January 8, 2007

[2] McKenzie, Jr., K.F. “The Rise of Asymmetric Threats: Priorities for

Defense Planning,” http://www.ndu.edu/inss/press/QDR_2001/sdcasch

03.html#ch3_6a, January 9, 2007

[3] Army Fact File, US Army, www.army.mil/fact_files_site/index.html,

January 8, 2007

[4] Hunger, R., “Explosive Remnants of War: The Problem,” Strategic

Insights, Vol. II, Issue 4, April 2003

[5] ADS “Active Denial System” US Air Force Research Laboratory Fact

Sheet, US Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM, August

2006

[6] Karcher, D., “Safeguarding Peace, Safeguarding Life: How NonLethal Directed Energy Weapons Promise Both,” Homeland Defense

Journal Online, http://www.homelanddefensejournal.com/scoop_nlw.

htm, January 8, 2007

[7] Directed Energy Directorate Gallery, US Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate, http://www.de.afrl.af.mil/Gallery/

index.aspx

[8] Active Denial Fact Sheet, Department of Defense Joint Nonlethal

Weapons Directorate, US Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate, Kirtland AFB, NM, October 2006

[9] Thompson, L., and D. Goure, “Directed Energy Applications Technologies, Applications, and Implications,” Lexington Institute, Washington DC, February 2003

[10] Uzi Rubin, “Hizballah’s Rocket Campaign Against Northern Israel:

A Preliminary Report” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Vol. 6, No. 10,

Jerusalem, Israel, August 2006

[11] Gambill, G.C., “Hezbollah’s Strategic Rocket Arsenal”, Middle East

Intelligence Bulletin, Vol. 4, Issue No. 11, November-December 2002,

http://www.meib.org/articles/0211_l2.htm, accessed January 9, 2007

[12] Uzi Rubin, “Hizballah’s Rocket Campaign Against Northern Israel:

A preliminary Report”, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Vol. 6, No.

10, August 31, 2006, http://www.jcpa.org/brief/brief006-10.htm,

accessed January 9, 2006

[13] “Raytheon Successfully Tests New Solid-State Laser Area Defense

System,” Raytheon Press Release, Tucson, Arizona, January 9, 2007

Mr. Charles (Chuck) E. Park is Vice President of Directed Energy Applications at Gleason Research Associates in

Huntsville, Alabama. Mr. Park has 40 years of experience with integrating new technologies into the US military. He is

a retired Army aviator with more than 4,000 flight hours in fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Mr. Park has a background in program management; C4ISR; Techniques, Tactics, and Procedures development; and airborne electronic

warfare operations in the Far East, Central America, and Europe. He works on programs that include the Apache Attack

Helicopter, Quick Fix, Airborne Law Enforcement, Directed Energy Systems, and Distributed Simulations Systems for

commercial and military systems.
http://iac.dtic.mil/wstiac/ The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1 7

ARMY FIELDS ITS FIRST LIGHT-WEIGHT HOWITZER

by Edward Murray and Martin Kane

The Picatinny Voice

With the recent delivery of eighteen new M777 lightweight

155mm howitzers to the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 11th Field

Artillery at Schofield

Barracks, Hawaii, the

King of Battle, as the

field artillery is often

called, took a giant step

forward.

The M777 is the 

military’s newest field

artillery weapon, a

lightweight 155mm

towed howitzer developed jointly by the

Army and Marine

Corps.

The program is managed by a joint-service program office. These weapon systems are

manufactured by BAE Systems with final integration and assembly occurring at the firm’s Hattiesburg, Mississippi, facility.

The M777 will replace all the Marine Corps’ current M-198

towed howitzers and will be the artillery system for the Army’s

Stryker Brigade Combat Teams. It is the first ground-combat

system to make extensive use of titanium in its major structures

to trim weight; the howitzer is 7,000 pounds lighter than the

M198 weapon it replaces. “The weight reduction improves

transportability and mobility without impacting range or accuracy,” said Joint Program Manager James Shields. Shields said

the system will be compatible with the entire family of 155mm

ammunition including the Excalibur precision munitions when

it eventually is fielded.

The first Army unit equipped, the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field

Artillery or 2-11 FA, is part of the Army’s fifth Stryker Brigade

Combat Team. It recently completed new equipment training

and a live-fire battalion exercise using the basic M777 system at

Pohakuloa Training Area on the Big Island of Hawaii. Prior to

receiving the M777, the 2-11 FA was exclusively a 105mm battalion that was equipped with the M119 howitzer. The M777

has the deployability advantages of lightweight system like the

M119 but the firepower of a 155mm weapon like the larger

M198. It also is transportable by the Marine Corps’ MV-22 tiltrotor aircraft. Two systems can be transported on a C-130 at the

same time.

The new howitzers have returned to Schofield Barracks where

they will be retrofitted with a digital fire control system (DFCS)

to become M777A1s. The DFCS will provide the howitzer with

the capability to communicate, navigate and aim, an upgrade

that will increase their accuracy and responsiveness. The DFCS,

which is also known as towed artillery digitization, was developed and is being manufactured for BAE Systems by General

Dynamics Armament and Technical Products of Burlington,

Vermont.

Soldiers from 2-11 FA said they were pleased with the new

weapons and look forward to the added capabilities provided by

the DFCS upgrade. The Marine Corps previously fielded the

M777 to the 11th Marine Regiment and is continuing its fielding activities to other units. In addition, the Corps recently provided Canadian Forces in Afghanistan six M777s where the guns

have been used extensively in combat with great success.

JPADS CONTINUES ‘REVOLUTION IN AIRDROP 

TECHNOLOGY’

by Tech. Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol

Air Mobility Warfare Center Public Affairs

Since October 2005, the Air Mobility Warfare Center has

partnered in an effort to revolutionize the way the Air Force

does its airlift airdrops in the expeditionary environment and

around the globe with the Joint Precision Air Drop System, or

JPADS, initiative.

“When it was said to make this concept of JPADS a reality

and we became Air Mobility Command’s lead on this project, we

started work right away,” said Maj. Gen.

David S. Gray, AMWC commander.

“General (Duncan J.) McNabb (the

AMC commander), made this a command priority and he definitely made it

my No. 1 priority. I’m proud of how far

we’ve come and how fast we got there.”

In November 2005, AMC opened a

JPADS “Tiger Team” that included representation from dozens of agencies at

command headquarters, especially the

Combat Operations Division and Plans

and Programs, as well as people from the

Air Mobility Battlelab and the Air Force

Mobility Weapons School. The team was

chaired by Col. Charles Stiles, the

AMWC vice commander.

The team’s work paid off when the

first combat airdrop using JPADS took

place over Afghanistan Aug. 31.

“That effort put us a day ahead of the

goal for combat operability by Sept. 1,”

said Maj. Dan DeVoe, AMWC project

officer for JPADS who deployed to

Afghanistan in 2006 as part of the

mobile training team establishing system

operations in theater.

The system is a high-altitude, all-weather capable, global positioning system-guided, precision airdrop system that provides

increased control upon release from the aircraft, said Major

DeVoe.

“When you’re able to complete airdrops at higher altitudes for

example, it keeps the aircraft and aircrews safer and out of range

Soldiers take the M777 through its first Army

fielding during a live-fire battalion exercise at

Pohakuloa Training Area in Hawaii.

This graphic illustration

shows how a C-130 Hercules can airdrop supplies

to multiple locations using

the Joint Precision Air 

Drop System. The system

uses global positioning 

system-guidance along with

steerable parachutes to

deliver air drop bundles

into multiple landing zones.

(US Air Force Graphic.) 

in the news...
8 The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1

of the enemy,” Major DeVoe said. “Additionally, with the ability

to precisely drop bundles to multiple, small drop zones, JPADS

brings an entirely new capability to the warfighter while saving

lives and resources in the process.”

Traditional airdrops by Air Force airlifters, such as the C-130

Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III, are at altitudes of anywhere

between 400 and 1,000 feet. With JPADS, those same airlift aircraft have the potential to guide air drop bundles from as high as

25,000 feet.

JPADS includes a mission planner to plan the optimal release

points using special software residing on a laptop computer. The

computer is loaded with a high-resolution grid of forecasted

winds. The mission planner also receives updated near real-time

wind speeds while in the air using hand-launched dropsondes

(hand-sized, parachute-equipped wind indicators).

There are also multiple types of JPADS parachute systems that

either have one or two types of parachutes — steering and traditional, that is an airborne guidance unit equipped with a GPS

receiver that has steering lines attached to the steering parachute

and a GPS retransmit kit mounted inside the bundle to ensure

uninterrupted signal reception. “When dropped, GPS receivers

use the steering mechanisms to basically fly the bundles to their

predetermined drop zones,” Major DeVoe said. “In combat

zones right now, JPADS-equipped bundles are being delivered in

the 2,000-pound category carrying everything from ammunition

to food for troops in remote, hard-to-reach places.”

JPADS mission planners have also found a role in improving 

traditional airdrops as part of the Improved Container Delivery

System, or ICDS. “Using their JPADS computer equipment, mission planners are now flying along traditional airdrop missions

providing better aerial release points for those bundles as they are

dropped from the plane,” Major DeVoe said. “They’ve been able

to increase air drop accuracy and altitude for traditional CDS

bundles. It’s getting better every day with this technology.”

As of December 2006, 120 ICDS airdrops and nine JPADS airdrops were completed delivering more than 1,000 bundles to

troops on the ground. Major DeVoe said combat operations using

JPADS will continue to grow. “This has been successful in

Afghanistan and soon we hope it will be further utilized in the

Iraq theater of operations,” Major DeVoe said.

Precision airdrops could eventually lessen the amounts of convoys

military forces undertake in both Iraq and Afghanistan, the major

said. “Fewer convoys means less exposure to improvised explosive

devices and other hazards troops face on the roads,” Major DeVoe

said. “That translates to saving lives.”

JPADS has been tested and deployed successfully in the 2,000-

pound range, Major DeVoe said. However, further testing to airdrop bundles eventually weighing up to 60,000 pounds is

expected. “This technology and its applications are only at the

beginning,” Major Devoe said. “The sky is the limit on where

this can go for improving operations on the battlefield.”

The overall Department of Defense JPADS initiative is led by

the Army, but is a joint effort involving the Air Force, Navy and

Marine Corps. The AMWC’s involvement has been a significant

part of the Air Force’s comprehensive effort and AMC’s support

for the joint development of JPADS will only continue to grow.

“This is a revolution in the way air mobility supports the

warfighter,” General Gray said. “We want to save lives and win

the war. This will help us get there.”

TOMAHAWK IV FLIGHT TEST SUCCESS 

FROM USS DONALD COOK

USS DONALD COOK, At Sea (NNS) — A test of a US Navy

Tomahawk Block IV cruise missile was conducted Jan. 17 from

USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), underway in the Gulf of Mexico.

Seconds after launch from the ship’s vertical launch system, the

Tomahawk missile transitioned to cruise flight. It flew a fully

guided 645-nautical mile test flight using global positioning satellite and digital scene matching area correlator navigation. The

one-hour, 30-minute flight concluded at a target and recovery site

on Eglin Air Force Base land range.

The Tactical Tomahawk Weapons Control System (TTWCS)

provides command and control of the missile during launch and

while in-flight. Using TTWCS, the ship can redirect the Tomahawk to a new target during flight. TTWCS has been developed

for the Navy by Lockheed Martin, Management and Data Systems in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

This marked the first execution of a Tomahawk Block IV test

mission into Eglin ranges. “This successful launch of a Tomahawk

Block IV missile demonstrates the increased responsiveness and

flexibility that the Block IV weapon system brings to the fight,”

said Tomahawk Program Manager, Capt. Rick McQueen. “We

are delivering an unprecedented capability to the warfighter. It

also demonstrates the Government/Industry team’s commitment

to excellence and quality. Our goal is simple - be the Nation’s premier strike weapon of choice.”

This test also marked the first Block IV launch from USS Donald Cook. Although a first with Block IV, the ship is very familiar

with the Tomahawk missile, as it took part in the first strikes in

Operation Iraqi Freedom on March 20, 2003. “Donald Cook

takes great pleasure to showcase the latest advancements in the

Tactical Tomahawk Weapon System,” said Cmdr. John M. Esposito, commanding officer of Donald Cook. “This successful test

firing proves the legacy of the US Navy’s premier weapon system,

and shows that it continues to lead the way in uncertain times.

The software improvements coupled with the Block IV missile

will provide commanders ashore a tremendously flexible system in

meeting our warfighting requirements.”

The Tomahawk cruise missile is a long range, subsonic cruise

missile used for land attack warfare, launched from surface ships

and submarines. Tomahawk is designed to fly at extremely low

altitudes at high subsonic speeds, and can be flown over evasive

routes by several mission tailored guidance systems. Tomahawk

missiles are deployed throughout the world’s oceans on numerous

surface ships and submarines, including AEGIS-class cruisers,

guided missile destroyers, and Seawolf and Los Angeles-class submarines.
http://iac.dtic.mil/wstiac/ The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1 9

Longbow Apache Block III (AB3) is a combination of twenty-three technologies

aimed at enhancing crew effectiveness in battle while reducing operations and support

costs. This technology insertion will provide Network-Centric warfare capabilities 

for the multi-role combat helicopter in the Army’s future force. To enable battlespace

dominance, the program will incorporate open systems architecture, wideband 

network communications, extended range sensing, level IV unmanned aerial vehicle

control, extended range fire control radar, extended range missiles, and data fusion to

merge off- and on-board sensor imagery. In addition, the Longbow Apache Block III

will interface with Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and Future Combat Systems

through a fully compatible and rapidly reconfigurable open systems architecture 

mission processor design.

The DoD has recently completed a comprehensive, independent technical

assessment and actionable execution plan to assure that the minimum essential

requirements are met to support successful entry of the Longbow Apache Block III

into System Development and Demonstration (SDD). The WSTIAC Director 

participated in the overall assessment of the AB3 based on review of documents including Draft Integrated Product Team, 

Overarching Integrated Product Team, Program Support Review, and contractor briefings and meetings with the government 

and contractor personnel. Included in the review were the drafts of the Acquisition Strategy Report, Acquisition Program Baseline,

Test and Evaluation Master Plan, Systems Engineering Plan, and the Capabilities Development Document. WSTIAC evaluations 

verified that sound systems engineering principles are being developed and applied allowing the proper tradeoffs between cost, 

schedule and overall weapon system performance in preparation for Department of Defense approval for the Longbow 

Apache Block III to enter the production and deployment phase at a Milestone C.

The Longbow Apache Block III effort has been successfully completed. AB3 was approved for entry into SDD on 10 July 2006.

TEMS Update

In Volume 6, Number 3 of the WSTIAC Newslwtter, an article

providing an overview of the Defense Technical Information

Center’s (DTIC’s) Total Electronic Migration System was published. Since publication of that article in October 2006, there 

has been significant progress in the development of the system.

As of January 2007, TEMS had approximately 124,328 full-text

documents available and more than 1,027,600 citations for reference or further request.

TEMS allows DTIC users 

to access and search the 

scientific and technical 

knowledge base of DoD’s

state-of-the-art Information

Analysis Centers (IACs).

Through sophisticated 

software and search 

engine technology, users 

can locate, read, and 

download reports, and

assemble bibliographies 

and indexes.

Go to http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/registration/ and follow the instructions.

Once registered, visit https://tems-iac.dtic.mil/ to log in to TEMS.

To get started

LONGBOW APACHE BLOCK III

WSTIAC Success Story: 
10 The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This 2 day short course provides an introduction to the

basic principles and techniques of Directed Energy

Weapons (DEWs). Weapon system applications will

also be thoroughly analyzed. The technologies behind

each type of DEW will be examined, and the critical

path components will be identified and explored with

respect to their effect on future DEW development. In

addition, advantages that can be achieved by employing DEWs will be discussed, as well as the status of

DEW developments and deployments in the international arena. The key DEW programs in High Energy Lasers

and RF-DEWs or High Power Microwaves will be fully

described.

This short course is provided by the Weapon

System Technology Information Analysis Center (WSTIAC). It will be of great benefit to people who need to

understand the basic concepts, technologies, design

requirements and practical applications of DEWs,

including program and business managers, political

decision makers, engineers, scientific researchers and

military personnel. An undergraduate technical degree

is recommended. Mathematics is kept to a minimum, 

but important formulas are introduced. 

These and many other critical questions will be

examined:

• What is Directed Energy and what are the different

types of Directed Energy Weapons?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of

each type of DEW and what are their target effects

and tactical and strategic capabilities?

• How do DEWs work and what are the critical 

technologies that must be developed for their 

eventual use in practical systems?

• How may threat DEW effects be countered and

how can we protect our own systems?

• What are the major US and international DEW 

programs that are being pursued?

• What is the prognosis for future DEW development?

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: 

Dr. Edward Scannell is a senior member of Alion’s 

technical staff and also serves as WSTIAC’s Chief 

Scientist. Dr. Scannell was Chief of the Directed Energy

and Power Generation Division of the US Army

Research Laboratory. He has over 30 years of experience in technical areas related to DEWs, including:

plasma physics, conventional and alternative energy

sources, electromagnetic (EM) guns, particle beam,

laser, high power microwave (HPM), and pulse 

power physics. 

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:

The course is UNCLASSIFIED, but is designated 

For Official Use Only (FOUO), Export Controlled and

attendance is limited to US citizens only.

FEE:

The registration fee for this two day course is $950/

student for US government personnel and government

contractors. Method of payment is usually credit 

card (Master Card, VISA, or American Express), but

1556s or a MIPR can also be used.

HANDOUT MATERIAL:

Each student will receive a comprehensive set of course

notes covering the material presented. 

TRAINING LOCATION:

The course is taught at 6767 Old Madison Pike, Suite

95, Huntsville, AL 35806. WSTIAC can also conduct a

dedicated course at your location to reduce your travel

time and cost. 

For additional information, contact

Mrs. Kelly Hopkins, Seminar Administrator,

at (256) 382-4747 or by e-mail:

khopkins@alionscience.com

DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS (DEW) COURSE

Instructor: Dr. Edward P. Scannell, Alion Science and Technology

Location: Huntsville, Alabama 

2007 Course Offerings: 27-28 Feb, 17-18 Jul, 30-31 Oct at 1700 hours

Notice: WSTIAC reserves the right to cancel and/or change the course schedule and/or instructor for any reason. In the

event of a schedule change or cancellation, registered participants will be individually informed. 
http://iac.dtic.mil/wstiac/ The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1 11

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This 3 day course provides an introduction to the most

commonly used sensors and seekers employed in smart

munitions and weapons (projectiles, missiles and wide

area mines). It is oriented to managers, engineers, 

and scientists who are engaged in smart weapons program development and who desire to obtain a deeper

understanding of the sensors they must deal with, but who

do not need to personally design or analyze them in

depth. An undergraduate technical degree is recommended. Mathematics is kept to a minimum, but important formulas are introduced. This course also provides an

excellent foundation for those scientists and engineers who

desire to pursue this discipline to intermediate and

advanced levels.

The course covers:

• Classification of seekers and sensors

• Fundamentals of waves and propagation

• Fundamentals of noise and clutter

• Fundamentals of search footprints

• Introduction to infrared

• Introduction to radar

• Introduction to ladar

• Introduction to visionics

• Introduction to acoustics

• Future projections and interactive brainstorming

Noise and clutter, the predominant obstacles to

success in autonomous seekers, are given emphasis. The

major sensor types are classified and each is discussed. 

In particular, infrared, radar, optical laser radar (ladar),

imaging and non-imaging, and acoustic sensors are 

individually covered. Of special interest is the discussion

on human visionics versus machine recognition, since this

concept is of central importance to understanding

autonomous versus man-in-the-loop sensing systems. The

implications of “artificial intelligence”, “data fusion”, and

“multi-mode” sensors are also briefly discussed. System

constraints, which force trade-offs in sensor design and in

ultimate performance, are also covered. Time permitting, a

projection of future trends in the role of sensors for smart

munitions will be presented, followed by a “brain-storming”

session to solicit student views.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: 

Paul Kisatsky is a Senior Advisory Scientist with Alion 

Science and Technology. He is a nationally recognized

Subject Matter Expert on sensors and seekers for smart

munitions and weapons, and he has more than 40 years

of experience in sensors and seekers analysis of modern

smart weapons.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:

This course is UNCLASSIFIED, but is designated Export

Controlled and attendance is limited to US citizens only.

FEE:

The registration fee for this 3 day course is $950/student

for US government personnel and government contractors.

Method of payment is usually credit card (Master Card,

VISA, or American Express), but 1556s or a MIPR can 

be used.

HANDOUT MATERIAL:

Each student will receive a comprehensive set of course

notes covering the material presented.

TRAINING LOCATION:

The course is taught at 6767 Old Madison Pike, 

Suite 95, Huntsville, AL. WSTIAC can also conduct a 

dedicated course at your location to reduce your 

travel time and cost. 

For additional information, contact

Mrs. Kelly Hopkins, Seminar Administrator,

at (256) 382-4747 or by e-mail:

khopkins@alionscience.com

INTRODUCTION TO SENSORS AND SEEKERS COURSE

Instructor: Paul Kisatsky, Alion Science and Technology

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

2007 Offerings: 5-7 Jun, 11-13 Sep

Notice: WSTIAC reserves the right to cancel and/or change the course schedule and/or instructor for any reason. In the

event of a schedule change or cancellation, registered participants will be individually informed. 
12 The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This 2 1/2 day short course provides a general understanding of smart weapons and related technologies.

This course is aimed at providing general knowledge

about smart weapons technology and a source of 

current information on selected US and foreign smart

weapons, to include system description, concept of

employment, performance characteristics, effectiveness

and program status.

A variety of ground, sea and air smart/

precision weapon systems are discussed, to include

fielded and/or developmental US systems such as Joint

Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), Joint Standoff Weapon

(JSOW), Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM),

Advanced Medium Range Air To Air Missile

(AMRAAM), Javelin, Excalibur, Precision Guided Mortar

Munition (PGMM), High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile

(HARM), Tomahawk, Standoff Land Attack Missile –

Expanded Response (SLAM-ER), Small Diameter Bomb

(SDB), Cluster Bomb Munitions and Non Line of Sight –

Launch Systems, among others, as well as representative

foreign smart/precision weapons.

The objective of this course is to inform materiel

and combat developers, systems analysts, scientists,

engineers, managers and business developers about

smart/precision weapons, to include:

• State of the art of representative US and foreign

smart weapons systems;

• Employment concepts;

• Smart weapons related systems, subsystems, and

technologies; and

• Technology trends.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS: 

Mr. Hunter Chockley is a Science Advisor with Alion.

He has more than 35 years of experience with

weapons technology and/or smart/precision weapons.

He has conducted advanced concept studies, and

weapon system/ subsystem assessments 

Mr. Bob Fitzgibbon is a Science Advisor with

Alion and he has 27 years in system analysis and

design. He has actively worked ECM, RF and RWR 

programs as well as hardware modernization efforts.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:

The course is UNCLASSIFIED, but is designated 

For Official Use Only (FOUO), Export Controlled and

attendance is limited to US citizens only. 

FEE:

The registration fee for this 2 1/2 day course is

$950/student for US government personnel and 

government contractors. Method of payment is usually

credit card (Master Card, VISA, or American Express),

but 1556s or a MIPR can be used.

HANDOUT MATERIAL:

Each student will receive a comprehensive set of course

notes covering the material presented. 

TRAINING LOCATION:

The course is taught at 6767 Old Madison Pike, 

Suite 95, Huntsville, AL 35806. WSTIAC can also 

conduct a dedicated course at your location to 

reduce your travel time and cost. 

For additional information, contact

Mrs. Kelly Hopkins, Seminar Administrator

at (256) 382-4747 or by e-mail: 

khopkins@alionscience.com

SMART/PRECISION WEAPONS COURSE

Instructors: Mr. Hunter Chockley and Mr. Bob Fitzgibbon 

Alion Science and Technology

Location: Huntsville, Alabama

2007 Course Offerings: 24-26 Apr, 7-9 Aug, 13-15 Nov

(Course starts at 0800 Tuesday and ends at noon on Thursday)

Notice: WSTIAC reserves the right to cancel and/or, change the course schedule, and/or instructors for any reason. In

the event of a schedule change or cancellation, registered participants will be immediately informed. 
http://iac.dtic.mil/wstiac/ The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1 13

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This 2 1/2 day short course is based on a very 

successful graduate-level weaponeering course 

developed by Professor Driels and taught at the Naval

Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. The course will

provide an overview of the fundamentals of the

weaponeering process and its application to air-tosurface and surface-to-surface engagements. The course

explains the analytical basis of current weaponeering

tools known as the Joint Munitions Effectiveness 

Manuals (JMEM’s) produced by the Joint Technical

Coordinating Group for Munitions Effectiveness

(JTCG/ME). The JMEM’s are used by all Services to

plan offensive missions and allow the planners to predict

the effectiveness of selected weapon systems against a

variety of targets.

The short course is divided into three parts. Part

I covers the basic tools and methods used in

weaponeering:

• The weaponeering process

• Elementary statistical methods

• Weapon trajectory

• Delivery accuracy of guided and unguided 

munitions

• Target vulnerability assessment

Part II covers the weaponeering process for air-launched

weapons against ground targets: 

• Single weapons directed against point and area

targets

• Stick deliveries (point and area targets)

• Projectiles (guns and rockets)

• Cluster munitions

• Weaponeering for specific targets: bridges, 

buildings etc.)

• Collateral damage modeling

Part III covers the weaponeering process for ground

engagements:

• Indirect fire systems – artillery and mortars.

• Direct fire systems – infantry and armored vehicles.

• Mines – land and sea.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

Morris Driels is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering

at the US Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in 

Monterey California. He has worked with the

JTCG/ME on a variety of topics in support of the

JMEM’s for a number of years. He has taught a quarter

long weaponeering course at NPS for three years and

has published a text book on the subject.

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION:

The course is UNCLASSIFIED but is Export Controlled

and attendance is limited to US Citizens only.

FEE:

The registration fee for this 2 1/2 day course is

$950/student for US government personnel and 

government contractors. Method of payment is usually

credit card (Master Card, VISA, or American Express),

but 1556s or a MIPR can be used.

HANDOUT MATERIAL:

Each student will receive a textbook and a set of 

handouts which covers the material presented. 

TRAINING LOCATION:

The course is taught at 6767 Old Madison Pike, 

Suite 95, Huntsville, AL 35806. WSTIAC can also 

conduct a dedicated course at your location to 

reduce your travel time and cost.

For additional information, contact

Mrs. Kelly Hopkins, Seminar Administrator

at (256) 382-4747 or by e-mail:

khopkins@alionscience.com

WEAPONEERING COURSE

Instructor: Professor Morris Driels, Naval Postgraduate School

Location: Huntsville, Alabama 

2007 Offerings: 13-15 Mar, 28-30 Aug

(Course starts at 0800 Tuesday and ends at noon on Thursday)

Notice: WSTIAC reserves the right to cancel and/or change the course schedule and/or instructor for any reason. In the

event of a schedule change or cancellation, registered participants will be individually informed.
14 The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1

February 2007

Warfighter’s Vision 2007:Winning the Global Fight

21-22 February 2007

Alexandria, VA

For additional information:

http://www.afei.org/brochure/7a04/index

18th Annual Special Operations/Low Intensity 

Conflict Symposium

26-28 February 2007

Arlington, VA

For additional information:

http://eweb.ndia.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=ndia&Webcode=EventList

March 2007

Directed Energy Systems Symposium

19-23 March 2007

Monterey, CA

For additional information:

http://www.deps.org/DEPSpages/DESystemsSymp07.html

Annual US Missile Defense Conference

19-23 March 2007

Washington, DC

For additional information:

http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1475

2007 DTIC Conference

26-28 March 2007

Alexandria, VA

For additional information:

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/annualconf/

April 2007

2007 Joint Service Power Expo

23-26 April 2007

San Diego, CA

For additional information:

http://www.ndia.org/Template.cfm?Section=7670

Gun and Missile Systems Conference & Exhibition

23-26 April 2007

Charlotte, NC

For additional information:

http://eweb.ndia.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?Site=ndia&Webcode=EventList

May 2007

Small Arms Symposium

7-10 May 2007

Virginia Beach, VA 

For additional information:

http://www.ndia.org/Template.cfm?Section=7610

AIAA Aerodynamics Decelerator Systems Technology 

Conference & Seminar

21-24 May 2007

For additional information:

http://www.aiaa.org/content.cfm?pageid=230&lumeetingid=1

443&viewcon=overview

June 2007

34th IEEE International Conference on Plasma Science

17-22 June 2007

Albuquerque, NM

For additional information:

http://www.ece.unm.edu/ppps2007/index.htm

20th Annual Solid State and Diode Laser 

Technology Review

26-28 June 2007

Los Angeles, CA

For additional information:

http://www.deps.org/DEPSpages/SSDLTR07.html

Upcoming Conferences and Courses

calendar of events
http://iac.dtic.mil/wstiac/ The WSTIAC Quarterly, Volume 7, Number 1 15

WSTIAC Directory

WSTIAC DIRECTOR

Gary J. Gray

1901 N Beauregard Street, Ste 400

Alexandria, VA 22311-1705

703.933.3317

Email: gjgray@alionscience.com

WSTIAC CHIEF SCIENTIST

Dr. Edward P. Scannell

8100 Corporate Drive

Lanham, MD 20785

301.7851671

Email: escannell@alionscience.com

TECHNICAL INQUIRIES

Vakare Valaitis

1901 N Beauregard Street, Ste 400

Alexandria, VA 22311

703.933.3362; Fax: 703.933.3325

Email: vvalaitis@alionscience.com

TRAINING COURSE COORDINATOR

Kelly Hopkins

Alion Science and Technology

6767 Old Madison Pike, Bldg 1, Suite 95

Huntsville, AL 35806

256.382.4747; Fax: 256.382.4702

Email: khopkins@alionscience.com

DEFENSE TECHNICAL INFORMATION CENTER

Attn: IAC Program Office (DTIC-I)

8725 John J. Kingman Road, Ste 0944

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6218

703.767.9120; Fax: 703.767.9119

Email: iac@dtic.mil

URL: http://iac.dtic.mil/
1901 N Beauregard Street, Suite 400

Alexandria, VA 22311-1705

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Inside this issue

Directed Energy Weapons

and the Asymmetric Fight

Director’s Corner

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