Directed Energy Symposium 2024

The 7th Annual Directed Energy Symposium will convene leading experts, policymakers, leaders, and innovators across the Directed Energy community to explore the latest advancements and applications in directed energy systems and technologies to support the Warfighter and national defense objectives. Discussions at the event will provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of directed energy warfare and the associated opportunities and challenges.

Topics to be covered at the 2024 Symposium:

• Leading a technology-driven & mission focused approach to provide directed energy capabilities
• Expanding the use of directed energy to address emerging challenges & missile threats
• Accelerating the integration of directed energy capabilities across the DoD
• Addressing the C-UAS threat by deploying directed energy
• Developing directed energy weapon capability to support the surface force
• Delivering warfighting capabilities to support DoD mission success
• Harnessing high powered microwaves (HPMs) for next-generation warfare

Why You Should Attend This Symposium:

Over the last three years, the Department of Defense has invested $1 billion annually for directed energy R&D, testing and evaluation, as well as technology and weapon procurement. DoD leadership is committed to deploying directed energy capabilities across the battlefield at scale as it has the potential to help the U.S. maintain its technological superiority over modernizing adversaries and defeat a multitude of threats. Currently, there are at least 31 directed energy initiatives underway across the U.S. military. The 2024 Directed Energy Symposium will convene leading experts and innovators to explore current and future innovations and initiatives, challenges, and benefits of deploying directed energy weapons to the battlefield.

This year’s Symposium will highlight how the DoD and Military Services are working to develop directed energy systems and integrate them into warfighting capabilities. Speakers from across the U.S. government, miliary services, DoD, academia, research labs, and industry will provide updates on latest projects, innovative endeavors, and future opportunities to support the next generation of directed energy technologies. The 2024 event will also feature a panel highlighting the development and fielding of high-powered microwaves and how it will support next-generation warfare in the future operating environment. Attendees at the 7th Directed Energy Symposium will have the unique opportunity to discuss and ask questions to key decision makers, subject experts, and solution providers to promote the development and acceleration of directed energy capabilities to support future combat operations.

The team specializes in the extensive research and development of our Symposium’s content and focus areas, and we will assemble the most respected minds in the Directed Energy community, including DoD, federal, and industry. Our non-partisan approach allows us to reach across all services and organizations to bring together a truly holistic group of decision makers and solution providers.

At our Symposium You Have the Ability To:

Gain Education & Insight: Walk away with knowledge gained from our senior level speakers on some of the complex challenges facing the DoD and Federal Government as it relates to directed energy systems.

Build Partnerships: The agenda is designed to allow for ample networking opportunities and the ability to discover.

Influence: Help foster ideas! Share your own insight and knowledge during our interactive sessions. All attendees are encouraged to address our speaker faculty and each other with their questions, comments or ideas.

Exhibit and Sponsorship Information:

The 2024 Directed Energy Symposium provides opportunities including exhibit space, product demonstrations, and networking receptions.
Contact us for sponsorship information

2024 Confirmed Speakers Include:

• VADM Brendan McLane, USN, Commander, Naval Surface Forces, Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific Fleet
• Dr. Amy Smith-Carroll, SES, Director, Surface Warfare, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Platform & Weapon Portfolio, OUSD (A&S)
• Dr. Neset Ak?zbek, ST, Senior Research Scientist for DE, Technical Center, U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command
• COL Steven Gutierrez, USA, PM, Directed Energy Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (DE M-SHORAD)
• Mark Spencer, Director, Joint Directed Energy Transition Office, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies
• Adam Aberle, Director, Directed Energy Project Office, U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities & Critical Technologies Office
• Dr. Donald Shiffler, Chief Scientist, Directed Energy Directorate, AFRL

Venue

151 St. George
151 St. George Blvd, 20745
Oxon Hill, National Harbor, MD

Hotel rooms are available at a discounted rate:

THE WESTIN WASHINGTON NATIONAL HARBOR.
Click HERE to see available rooms.
171 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, Maryland 20745

THE HYATT PLACE NATIONAL HARBOR.
Click HERE to see available rooms.
123 Waterfront St.
National Harbor, Maryland, United States, 20745

AC HOTEL NATIONAL HARBOR.
Click HERE to see available rooms.
156 Waterfront Street
National Harbor, Maryland
*Please Note: This discounted partner rate will be available starting 60 days before the event begins.

Parking: Parking details will be provided to registrants one week before the event in the “Event Logistics” e-mail.