History
Applied Energetics was founded in 2002 to pursue the development of the innovative weapon technology of Laser Guided Energy (LGE®)- - man-made lightning that can deliver a disrupting, but non-lethal, electrical charge down a beam of laser light. We were founded as “Ionatron, Inc.” and offered the vision of “security and defense at the speed of light”. In 2004 the company became publicly listed on NASDAQ.
Since our founding, we have made significant progress in mastering the underlying physics of LGE®, developing the technologies for controlling and expanding its reach, understanding its military effects, and creating the hardware that will bring LGE® to practical implementation. This work has been accomplished through a combination of internally funded core technology development, and a variety of government customer-sponsored research, development, and prototyping programs. The total investment in LGE technology has been significant over the past five years. Through that effort the company has amassed a significant portfolio of proprietary information and patents issued and pending.
Early in the development of the company, our Department of Defense (DoD) customers recognized that our electrical discharge techniques could be used to neutralize several types of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), a threat weapon that had produced over 70% of coalition casualties in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2004, Applied Energetics has prototyped several generations of our counter-IED system , and proved them in government-sponsored tests. Through this work, we have built a unique foundation of IED neutralization expertise, and we are supporting our customers as they address immediate needs for IED protection.
In 2004, North Star Power Engineering (NSPE) joined the corporation, bringing important proprietary understanding of high voltage applications and a portfolio of revolutionary, high voltage equipment designs and design concepts. Since this acquisition, NSPE has been an important contributor to our LGE® and counter-IED technologies, and Applied Energetics continues to produce cutting-edge, high voltage equipment for our industrial, scientific, and aerospace customers under the North Star Power Engineering brand.
As our LGE technologies reach maturity, we are addressing the challenges of fielding this technology with combat-rugged hardware. Nowhere is this more difficult than in the packaging of the LGE® ultrashort pulse laser. In 2007, the company formed its Military Laser Group to begin assembling this capability, and to pursue other opportunities in ruggedized high performance lasers for military, industrial and scientific applications.
Now, after five years of aggressive technology development and prototype demonstration, Applied Energetics is making a transition to an emphasis on delivering use-ready hardware. This transition entails a disciplined focus on fully engineered products, expanding manufacturing operations, field support of our equipment after delivery, and the strategic development of new product lines and customers.