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Directed Energy

About the Directed Energy Directorate (RD)

AFRL's Directed Energy Directorate is the Department of the Air Force's Center of Expertise for directed energy and optical technologies. Located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, the Directorate develops and transitions technologies in four core technical competencies: laser systems, high power electromagnetics, weapons modeling and simulation, and directed energy and electro-optics for space superiority.
directed energy image

AFRL/RD Leadership

AFRL TECHNOLOGY

    

More About RD

Graphic of THOR equipment

AFRL pioneered the first and only megawatt-class airborne laser and is a world leader in ground-based space imaging using adaptive optics with a 3.5-meter telescope in New Mexico and a 3.6-meter telescope in Hawaii. The Directorate is transitioning game-changing counter-electronics and laser system technologies to the warfighter developing tech such as THOR pictured here.