US developing directed energy weapon to defeat threats at speed of light

News, US December 23, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. defense firm Raytheon, an RTX business, to design, build, and test two high-power microwave antenna systems for U.S. military. The weapon system will use directed energy to counter aerial threats at the speed of light.

The systems are designed to be rugged and transportable and the U.S. military plans to deploy the weapon systems in frontline. The prototypes of the system are expected to be delivered in fiscal years 2024 and 2026.

U.S. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division awarded the $31.3 million three-year contract to Raytheon to deliver prototype systems to the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force as part of the Directed Energy Front-line Electromagnetic Neutralization and Defeat (DEFEND) program, according to the RTX statement.

President of Advanced Technology at Raytheon, Colin Whelan said, “Non-kinetic defense systems are a key part of America’s national defense strategy.”

He further highlighted that “The new iterations of Raytheon’s high-power microwave systems are cost-effective and reliable solutions that operate at the speed of light – enabling our warfighters to defend against faster and more maneuverable threats.”

U.S. Army has increased its focus on developing high-powered directed energy weapons and defense systems to replace the conventional aerial defense systems. The U.S. Army aims to use laser weapons systems to protect people and assets against short-range and long-range aerial threats.

US THOR high-powered microwave counter drone weapon system — *^{The Tactical High-power Operational Responder high-powered microwave counter drone weapon system. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force/Adrian Lucero)}*

According to the RTX statement, the American defense firm Raytheon has been a leader in the use of high-power microwaves for nearly 80 years. “The new HPM prototype systems build on Raytheon’s decades of experience developing capabilities like the Counter-Electronic High Power Microwave Extended Range Air Base Defense, known as CHIMERA,” the statement added.

Directed energy and laser weapons

The directed energy weapons and defense systems provide a safe and simple solution to address incoming aerial threats in volumes while operating at a lower cost compared to conventional aerial defense systems. Such aerial defense systems can provide a single solution to short-range as well as long-range aerial threats.

Laser Weapon Systems have the capability to successfully track and detect targets, including small rockets, boats, drones, UAVs, and a truck with high fidelity. It can maintain the laser beam with enough time to eliminate the target. Directed Energy can operate as an effective weapon that can enable the warfighter to counter and eliminate a range of emerging threats.

*^{The artist’s rendition of a Stryker vehicle with a mounted HEL system shoots down unmanned aircraft systems. (Image Credit: KBR)}*

Currently, the U.S. Army uses separate systems for short-range air defense like SHORAD systems, and a totally different air defense system for long-range threats such as the Patriot Air and Missile Defense system, and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense or THAAD system. Through projects like IFPC-HEL, the U.S. Army plans to address the gap between the short-range and long-range missile defense systems into one setup.