Dr. Joseph Blau

Physics Department, Naval Postgraduate School

Abstract

Directed energy weapons, including high-energy lasers (HELs) and high-power microwave (HPM) systems, have the potential to dramatically alter the future battlefield, helping to address threats such as swarms of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This talk will focus on HELs, discussing their advantages and limitations, potential platforms and missions, recent and current US Navy HEL programs, and ongoing research at NPS. 

Biography

Dr. Joseph Blau received a B.S. in Physics from UC Santa Barbara in 1987, an M.S. in Physics from UC San Diego in 1989, and a Ph.D. in Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2002. He has worked at NPS since 1989, leading numerous research programs and educating hundreds of Naval officers on directed energy.
 
Over the past several decades, Dr. Blau has been involved in the design and modeling of laser weapons and their integration on Naval platforms. In recent years, his work has focused on experiments and modeling related to atmospheric propagation of laser beams, including underway experimental campaigns on Naval vessels. He also collaborates with NPS colleagues and researchers around the country on topics such as target lethality and modeling of laser weapon engagements. Dr. Blau is the lead or co-author on more than 50 publications and has advised more than 100 NPS students on their theses and dissertations. He is a co-recipient of the 2015 Directed Energy Award from the Association of Old Crows.

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