Army tweaking new high-power microwave prototype before CENTCOM testing begins

Army tweaking new high-power microwave prototype before CENTCOM testing begins
Army tweaking new high-power microwave prototype before CENTCOM testing begins

“The system actually worked very well, but we had some, some additional work to do, from a suitability perspective,” Lt. Gen. Robert Rasch told Breaking Defense.

CENTCOM bound: Army soldiers slated to test high-power microwaves against drone swarms

CENTCOM bound: Army soldiers slated to test high-power microwaves against drone swarms
CENTCOM bound: Army soldiers slated to test high-power microwaves against drone swarms

Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George is sending a slew of developmental C-UAS systems to the Middle East. Soldiers there are aligned to receive a new high-powered microwave.

Light speed? Officials call for patience on laser weapons while industry begs for bigger buys

Light speed? Officials call for patience on laser weapons while industry begs for bigger buys
Light speed? Officials call for patience on laser weapons while industry begs for bigger buys

A report from NDIA highlights directed-energy suppliers’ struggles to get by on unpredictable “one-off” contracts for prototypes and field tests — but OSD research and acquisition officials warn there are complex tactical questions to work out before they can buy lasers in bulk.

Army gets its hands on new high-power microwave prototype from Epirus

Army gets its hands on new high-power microwave prototype from Epirus
Army gets its hands on new high-power microwave prototype from Epirus

“The IFPC-HPM platoon will undergo capabilities and limitations testing by the Army to develop tactics, techniques and procedures for how the capability will be used in theater as part of a layered defense posture for the counter-UAS mission,” an Epirus spokesman told Breaking Defense.

Laser weapons ‘finally’ seeing ‘real progress,’ Missile Defense Agency official says

Laser weapons ‘finally’ seeing ‘real progress,’ Missile Defense Agency official says
Laser weapons ‘finally’ seeing ‘real progress,’ Missile Defense Agency official says

“There have been some really impressive results,” said MDA Executive Director Laura DeSimone on recent directed energy tests.

Spurred by Ukraine conflict, US Army conducts new tests of kinetic, microwave counter-UAS systems

Spurred by Ukraine conflict, US Army conducts new tests of kinetic, microwave counter-UAS systems
Spurred by Ukraine conflict, US Army conducts new tests of kinetic, microwave counter-UAS systems

“The threat is always going to evolve. We actually see this every day when we watch what’s happening in Ukraine and Israel,” said Col. Michael Parent, the lead for the RCCTO’s Counter-small Unmanned Aircraft Systems office.

US Army selects Epirus’ Leonidas for high-power microwave initiative

US Army selects Epirus’ Leonidas for high-power microwave initiative
US Army selects Epirus’ Leonidas for high-power microwave initiative

“IFPC-HPM provides much needed protection against adversarial UAS swarms capable of targeting and overwhelming US and allied air defense systems,” the Army said in budget request documents.

Army must start ‘leaning’ on kinetic options for counter-drone as autonomous UAS proliferate

Army must start ‘leaning’ on kinetic options for counter-drone as autonomous UAS proliferate
Army must start ‘leaning’ on kinetic options for counter-drone as autonomous UAS proliferate

Autonomous drones are a “direct attempt to evade” EW countermeasures, according to a top cUAS general.

What Satellite Attack Weapon Might The US Reveal Soon?

What Satellite Attack Weapon Might The US Reveal Soon?
What Satellite Attack Weapon Might The US Reveal Soon?

Space based jammers? Kinetic kill vehicles? Ground based lasers? The Pentagon has a space weapon it’s ready to show, but it’s not clear exactly what it will be.

Directed Energy: From Counter-Drone To Force Fields?

Directed Energy: From Counter-Drone To Force Fields?
Directed Energy: From Counter-Drone To Force Fields?

“We’re painting with broad strokes, but we’re diving into what missions of the future will look like. The technology is not quite Star Wars, but we’re getting close,” said Jeremy Murray-Krezan, AFRL’s directed energy deputy chief scientist, says.

Drones Vs. Drones: Lockheed MORFIUS Uses Microwaves To Kill Swarms

Drones Vs. Drones: Lockheed MORFIUS Uses Microwaves To Kill Swarms
Drones Vs. Drones: Lockheed MORFIUS Uses Microwaves To Kill Swarms

Crucial to the promise of MORFIUS is its ability to zap many drones at once in mid-air, far from the friendly vehicles, buildings, or people actively being defended.

THOR: Air Force Tests Counter-Drone Microwave In Africa

THOR: Air Force Tests Counter-Drone Microwave In Africa
THOR: Air Force Tests Counter-Drone Microwave In Africa

“I’ve watched it in action and its really quite impressive,” says Air Force Chief Scientist Richard Joseph.

DoD Drafts Guidelines For Laser Design

DoD Drafts Guidelines For Laser Design
DoD Drafts Guidelines For Laser Design

The Pentagon’s draft “reference architecture,” which also covers high-powered microwave weapons, will be circulated for industry comment early next year.

Troops To Test AFRL’s THOR Drone Killer This Fall

Troops To Test AFRL’s THOR Drone Killer This Fall
Troops To Test AFRL’s THOR Drone Killer This Fall

THOR puts high-powered microwaves to fry drone swarms’ electronics in a rugged and deployable package.