Directed-energy weapons employ highly focused energy, not a solid projectile, in order to target a target. These weapons include sound beams, lasers, sound beams, particle beams, and microwaves. These weapons may be used against people, vehicles, and optical equipment. They can also attack biological targets like infected animal.
Raytheon's Phaser System
The Phaser system can be used as a directed energy weapon from either an aircraft or vehicle. It has the power to destroy various aerial threats including missiles, helicopters, and manned aircraft. Ground targets can also be hit by the Phaser beam. The system can be used in a variety different roles, such as long-range ballistic defense and airborne near-air support.
Raytheon has been working with the Air Force to test its portfolio of directed energy weapons. Raytheon received two major contracts last year from the Air Force Research Laboratory. It has been testing the High-Energy Laser Weapon System and the Phaser high-powered microwave. However, the Air Force is yet to reveal the contracts' value, and there have not been formal negotiations.
Raytheon's HPM program
Two untrained drones that attacked Saudi oil production plants with crude oil have brought renewed attention to the topic of directed energy weapons. The attack highlighted the possibility of cheap UAS being able to defeat traditional air defense systems. Raytheon Technologies is the leading company in developing directed energy weapons.
Directed energy weapons can target a target with intense heat and a high-power microwave that can scramble the brain of an electronic device. It can have such subtle effects that the user might not even notice it. These weapons are also useful for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Raytheon HEL-system
Raytheon's HEL system to destroy rockets and drones in two seconds is designed for use with direct energy weapons. It will be available for high-power trials by 2021. As the cost of traditional weapons continues to increase, the need for effective, low-cost lasers is growing. The UK Ministry of Defence awarded the company a contract last year to make a demonstrator.
During development of the HEL system, researchers encountered challenges with beam propagation. The beam's power was decreased because it was distorted as it traveled through the atmosphere. Localised heating made this problem worse. The HEL weapon could not penetrate the clouds because of this.
Raytheon's plasma-based MARAUDER system
Raytheon began work on a plasma based directed energy weapon named MARAUDER in the early 90s. This plasma-based railgun could fire plasma rounds at high speeds. It was mobile and could also shoot down incoming missiles. It hasn't been much known about the project since the mid-1990s.
These weapons use two primary types energy: the plasma-based system and particle stream weapons. Plasma weapons are capable of emitting subatomic particles that cause damage to targets. Particle stream weapon, on the contrary, uses a laser that can send the beam to a distant location. Secondary impact damage can also be caused by plasma weapons.