Research specialist Verus Research has been awarded a $5 million contract from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to expand existing knowledge of Waveform Agile RF Directed Energy (WARDEN) models and hardware. The 48-month project includes the development of mathematical theory to extend the range and effectiveness of high-power microwave (HPM) systems and their pulsed and agile waveforms for potential use as terrestrial- and space-based directed-energy weapons (see the figure). Via the contract, Verus Research (Albuquerque, NM) will explore the electromagnetic (EM) interactions of HPM systems with other electronic devices within a common enclosure. Coupling of high-energy EM fields with nearby sensitive and lower-power electronic devices can cause interference and even damage to other circuits and systems in the vicinity, so the modeling and research efforts will provide practical solutions for increasing the beamed power and range of HPM systems without damaging adjacent circuits and systems.
Verus Research brings a great deal of experience and expertise to the HMP project. “We are honored to receive our first-ever contract award from DARPA,” said Grady L. Patterson IV, chief executive officer (CEO) of Verus Research. “The contract is extremely important in helping to create more effective technologies and develop new high-power microwave systems and employment approaches for the Department of Defense. It is a privilege to utilize our more than three decades of experience in this field in creating solutions that matter for our clients.” Verus Research will combine advances in high-power microwave measurements, computer-aided-engineering (CAE) modeling, and machine-learning (ML) techniques to enhance the performance of existing HPM systems and create more efficient and effective HPM waveforms.