Directed Energy Weapons use highly focused energy instead of a solid projectile to strike a target. These weapons include sound beams, lasers, sound beams, particle beams, and microwaves. These weapons can be used to attack personnel, vehicles, or optical devices. These weapons can also be used against biological targets like infected animals.
Raytheon Phaser system
The Phaser system is a weapon of directed energy that can be launched from an aircraft or vehicle. It has the power to destroy various aerial threats including missiles, helicopters, and manned aircraft. The Phaser beam is also capable of hitting ground targets. The system may be suitable for use in a variety of roles, including airborne close-air support and long-range ballistic missile defense.
The company has been working closely with the Air Force on testing its directed-energy weapons portfolio. Last year, Raytheon won two major contracts from the Air Force Research Laboratory. Raytheon has been also testing the High-Energy Laser Weapon System, (HELWS), and the Phaser high-powered microwave. The Air Force has yet to disclose the value of these contracts and no formal negotiations are underway.
Raytheon's HPM System
The development of directed energy weapons has received renewed attention after two unsophisticated drones recently attacked Saudi oil production facilities. The attack revealed the power of UAS to defeat air defense systems. Raytheon Technologies is one company working to develop directed energy weapons.
Directed energie weapons can hit a target with extreme heat and a powerful microwave that can damage an electronic device's brain. Sometimes the effect is so subtle that users may not be aware it occurred. These weapons can also be used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Raytheon's HEL System
Raytheon's HEL system to destroy rockets and drones in two seconds is designed for use with direct energy weapons. It is expected to be ready in 2021 for high-power trials. Lasers are becoming more important as the price of traditional weapons keeps rising. Last year, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded the contract to the company for the production of a demonstrator-system.
Researchers had to overcome problems with beam propagation when developing the HEL technology. The beam's power was decreased because it was distorted as it traveled through the atmosphere. Localised heating only made the problem worse. HEL weapons were unable to penetrate clouds due to this.
Raytheon's plasma based MARAUDER system
Raytheon began work on a plasma based directed energy weapon named MARAUDER in the early 90s. The plasma-based railgun could fire high speed plasma rounds. It had the potential to be highly mobile, and it could shoot down incoming missiles. The project was not revealed until the mid-1990s.
Two primary types of energy are used in these weapons: plasma-based weapons and particle stream weapons. Plasma weapons produce subatomic particles that can cause damage to any targets. Particle stream weapons use a laser designationator to fire the beam from a distance. Secondary impact damage can be done to targets by plasma weapons.