National Photonics Initiative Recommends Establishment of Directed Energy Program Office for High Power Lasers

The National Photonics Initiative High Power Lasers Task Force has released its recommendations to face what it forecasts as a decline in the U.S. HPL market ahead of the Directed Energy Summit in Washington Thursday.

The recommendations look to establish a directed energy program office that will work to organize the manufacturing of high power lasers within the U.S., NPI said Thursday.

NPI added the office will support policies that will protect technologies without hindering the growth of exporting companies.

“Investing in a directed energy program office will support a coordinated strategy that not only ensures the domestic supply of critical components required for high power lasers for defense but also supports commercial applications such as cutting, welding and additive manufacturing,” said Scott Keeney, NPI HPL Task Force co-chair and nLight CEO.

NPI HPL Task Force members include U.S. defense contractors and laser companies’ executives.