Laser Directed Energy Weapons
About
The last decade has seen a dramatic increase in Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) systems being tested and deployed around the world. Modern LDEW systems have a low cost per shot and are electrically powered, giving significant economic and logistical advantages over conventional defences.
In this talk Simon Woods will examine LDEW from an optical scientist's perspective, discussing some of the key technologies and challenges involved in generating and delivering a highly intense laser beam to a distant target. Particular emphasis will be given to Beam Combining approaches for power scaling, and to the impact and mitigation of atmospheric effects on the beam.
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
19 May 2025
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Organiser
- Hereford and Worcester Local Network
Speakers
Simon Woods
Principal Scientist - Laser & Optical Physics - QinetiQ
Simon Woods is a Principal Scientist in QinetiQ, and part of the team who designed and developed the laser source for the UK Dragonfire concept demonstrator. He obtained a degree in Physics from Oxford University in 1994 and joined what was then the Defence Research Agency in 1996. He has worked in the Laser Directed Energy Weapon domain since around 2003 and specialises in numerical modelling of beam propagation.
Programme
Doors open 19:00
Presentation starts 19:30
Expected finish 21:00