2017 Directed Energy Summit Agenda

DAY ONE: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29

All-day event included a hosted luncheon and evening networking and capability demonstration reception. Day one events included keynote addresses and panel discussions on the following topics:

• Potential for DE capabilities to meet the Nation’s current and emerging defense needs;
• Detailed discussions by Service leaders and the Missile Defense Agency on developing and fielding new directed energy capabilities;
• Updates on NDAA-directed designation of DoD Senior Official with Principal Responsibility for Directed Energy Weapons with the support of the newly designated Joint Directed Energy Transition Office (formerly High Energy Laser Joint Technology Office);
• Development of the Department of Defense DE Strategic Plan and Roadmap; and
• Addressing myths and challenges surrounding policies, treaties, and technologies impeding DE fielding and use.

DAY TWO: THURSDAY, MARCH 30

Morning classified (SECRET/NOFORN) included:

•  Updates on emerging threats;
•  Interactive discussion of the opportunities to exploit DE capabilities offensively and defensively within the context of mission-focused vignettes such as theater air and missile defense; homeland air and missile defense; and left-of-launch ballistic missile defense; and
•  Panel discussion on the relationships among DE offensive and defensive weapon systems, counter-measures to defeat adversary DE systems, and the ability of countermeasures to diminish the effectiveness of DE weapons.

Afternoon UNCLASSIFIED/Distro C session (U.S. Government agencies and their contractors) included:

• Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium (DOTC) and National Armaments Consortium (NAC) briefing to industry on recent legislative changes to Other Transaction Authority (OTA); the new DOTC DE portfolio area; and DE topics for proposals being solicited for FY 17/18.