U.S. Army
Denewsaug31 2 Promo 5f5696beb4d77

Army Explores Directed-Energy Weapons

Sept. 7, 2020
The U. S. Army is exploring the use of directed-energy weapons including those based on lasers and microwave energy to counter low-cost enemy weapons.

Air defenses are a constant concern and need for the U.S. Army, to the extent that the armed forces try to evaluate the latest offensive/defense technologies, such as directed-energy weapons. The Army is hoping to soon complete a current evaluation being held at White Sands Missile Range, NM with possible use as part of an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) capability. A Patriot missile unit will be the first unit equipped with the IBCS and operational by 2022 once the user testing has concluded (see figure). It is hoped that the IBCS architecture will support continuous communications between the highest headquarters and the weapon operator.

The Army is exploring different types of directed energy weapons, including high-energy-laser (HEL) and high-power microwave (HPM) systems. According to Lieutenant General Neil Thurgood, director of hypersonics, directed energy, space, and rapid acquisition at the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), the RCCTO is charge with fielding enabling technologies that address near-field and mid-field threats: “The world has changed over the last 18 or 19 years as we have been fighting the global war on terror. With the signing of the National Defense Strategy, the Army is now in an era of great power competition against China and Russia.”

The Army is working on fielding directed energy-maneuver short range air defense (DE-MSHORAD) capability to the platoon level by fiscal 2022. The capability provides brigade combat teams with a 50-kW laser aboard a Stryker combat vehicle to support air defense artillery operations. The Army is also looking to field a 300-kW indirect fire protection capability-high energy laser (IFPC-HEL) and IFPC-high-powered-microwave (HPM) system at the platoon level in fiscal 2024.

Directed energy weapons are considered cost effective and a strategic tool in the fight against low-cost weapons. Thurgood observed: “At these power levels, I colloquially remind people that we don't have the ‘Star Wars effect’where you put a beam of light out there and a battleship blows up. Directed energy is a very specific weapon for specific outcomes.” 

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.

Sponsored Recommendations

Wideband Peak & Average Power Sensor with 80 Msps Sample Rate

Aug. 16, 2024
Mini-Circuits’ PWR-18PWHS-RC power sensor operates from 0.05 to 18 GHz at a sample rate of 80 Msps and with an industry-leading minimum measurement range of -40 dBm in peak mode...

Turnkey Solid State Energy Source

Aug. 16, 2024
Featuring 59 dB of gain and output power from 2 to 750W, the RFS-G90G93750X+ is a robust, turnkey RF energy source for ISM applications in the 915 MHz band. This design incorporates...

90 GHz Coax. Adapters for Your High-Frequency Connections

Aug. 16, 2024
Mini-Circuits’ expanded line of coaxial adapters now includes the 10x-135x series of 1.0 mm to 1.35 mm models with all combinations of connector genders. Ultra-wideband performance...

Ultra-Low Phase Noise MMIC Amplifier, 6 to 18 GHz

July 12, 2024
Mini-Circuits’ LVA-6183PN+ is a wideband, ultra-low phase noise MMIC amplifier perfect for use with low noise signal sources and in sensitive transceiver chains. This model operates...