AFPD91-4 governs Air Force and Space Force military-specific directed energy system safety policy and requirements.
View AFPD91-4 on armypubs.army.mil
It covers directed energy system safety across research, development, testing, operation, training, maintenance, storage, decommissioning, and disposal. It requires safety certification, mishap investigations, and safety considerations in mission planning and operations.
Applies to: This publication applies to the United States Space Force, Regular Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, and the Air National Guard.
Directed energy systems must have a safety certification from the AF/SE prior to fielding or operational testing, training, or operation by non-developmental personnel. (paragraph 2)
To support provisional efforts such as demonstrations and early operational assessments, non-developmental personnel may operate uncertified systems when directly supervised by developmental personnel and in controlled environments approved by the Service Level Review Coordinator, Service Level Review Authority and Range Review Assessor. (paragraph 2)
Establish and conduct a military-specific directed energy safety program to ensure the safe research, development, testing, operation, training, maintenance, storage, decommissioning, and disposal of these systems. (paragraph 2)
Investigate mishaps involving military-specific directed energy systems in accordance with DAFPD 91-2, Safety Programs, and other directives as appropriate. (paragraph 2)
Understand the capabilities and hazards of directed energy systems as applicable to their mission. (paragraph 3)