Fiscal Year	2023
Division	Research & Sponsored Programs
Department	Naval Research Program
Investigator(s)	Bergue-Alves, Miriam
Sponsor	NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary	The Navy has embarked on efforts to develop and integrate high energy laser weapon systems aboard destroyer ship (DDG) platforms. The Navy is taking an evolutionary approach starting with integrating and demonstrating smaller and lower energy laser weapons (30 kW and more recently, 60 kW) and working towards higher energy and larger laser weapons. This study will explore the integration of 300 kW laser systems and their support systems (adaptive optics, power systems, cooling systems, etc.) onto DDGs. Recent studies have examined traditional ship design approaches for integrating and installing high energy laser weapon systems on DDGs. This study will identify and analyze unconventional and novel design modifications to accommodate a 300 kW laser weapon system. The study will consider DDG Flt 2a's and 3's as well as future ships. The team will look "outside the box" at novel approaches for power, cooling, and ship KG (height of center of gravity above the keel). Novel approaches may include the use of high temperature pump diodes for cooling, repositioning heavy laser pumps lower in the ship to balance weight, and innovative hybrid electric drive technologies.
Keywords	academic programs, assessment, AI, competency, continuum of learning, curricula, education alignment; educational requirements, decision-making, interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, Naval Education Enterprise, relevant education, warfighting advantage
Publications	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data	Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal