[23]Press release, "Northrop Grumman Surpasses Power, Run-Time Requirements of Joint High Power Solid-State Laser Program for Military Use," Northrop Grumman Corporation, November 9, 2005, at http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.mhtml?d=89438 (March 15, 2006). When directed at humans, a microwave weapon causes atoms to vibrate, which in turn generates heat. These photons are all at the same wavelength and are coherent, meaning the crests and troughs of the light waves are all in lockstep. [82], LRADs are often fitted on commercial and military ships. They hurt and kill with electromagnetic power. The laser light is coherent in a single color, and the flashlight is broad-spectrum light. Havana syndrome is a set of medical symptoms reported by US personnel in Havana, Cuba and other locations, suspected by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to be caused by microwave energy. Directed energy weapons could also play a key role in defending against what has been described as the number one threat to the United States by the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Dr. Mike Griffinhypersonic weapons. [5]Suzann Chapman, "The Airborne Laser," Air Force Magazine, Vol. Lasers are becoming smaller and more powerful. umbrella term covering technologies that produce a beam of concentrated electromagnetic energy or atomic or subatomic particles. [6], Because they were invented several decades ago, lasers are the most mature of the DEW technologies. The manufacturer states that the weapon can disrupt remote control, the transmission of video at 2.4 and 5 GHz, and GPS and Glonass satellite navigation signals. In March 2003, North Korea may have used a ZM-87 to "paint" two U.S. Apache helicopters patrolling the Demilitarized Zone.[7]. It stresses the heart, causes insomnia, completely prevents deep sleep, and causes severe muscle aches. In addition, when the East German state collapsed, powerful X-ray equipment was found in prisons without there being any apparent reason to justify its presence. So, for a hypersonic weapon that is travelling at 25 times the speed of sound, a high- energy laser can engage it at roughly 35,000 times its speed. In 1995, the Chinese military marketed the ZM-87 laser interference device, a tripod-mounted battlefield laser dazzler designed to blind enemy soldiers and optics temporarily. So, for a hypersonic weapon that is travelling at 25 times the speed of sound, a high- energy laser can engage it at roughly 35,000 times its speed. A microwave weapon can achieve this result by causing malfunctions within certain relay and processing circuits within the enemy target system. They are also used on ships as an anti-piracy measure. In effect, the United States would have provided stealth-like capability to entire fleets of aircraft. EM launchers use electrical energy to throw a mass at a target, thus making them distinct from directed energy. In recent years the U.S. Navy deployed a 30kW class solid state laser weapon system (LaWS) prototype on the Afloat Forward Staging Base, USS Ponce. can affect a lasers performance but there are ways to address these phenomena. A14.5 kHz E V2K 28-Dec-8927-Oct-92Oliver M. LoweryOliver M. LoweryPresents subliminal auditory information to the human via remotely applied waves US 5356368 A4-212 Hz MK 1-Mar-9118-Oct-94Robert A. MonroeInterstate Industries Inc. (dba Monroe Products)Method of and apparatus for inducing . [48] HPM weapon technology is based on the same technology as radar devices, which already have a long history of research and development. two directional speakers emitting 16,000 Hz and 16,002 Hz frequencies would produce in the ear two frequencies of 32,002 Hz and 2 Hz. ", "Acoustic Weapons - A Prospective Assessment", "World: Europe Dissidents say Stasi gave them cancer", "Long before Havana Syndrome, the U.S. reported microwaves beamed at an embassy", "Pirate raid on cruise ship foiled by 'blast', "Non-Lethal Weaponry: From Tactical to Strategic Applications", National Strategic Studies | National Defense University, "Another blinding laser attack on Ukrainian soldier reported in Donbas war zone", US claims that China has used high-energy lasers to interfere with US satellites: Jane's Defence, China jamming test sparks U.S. satellite concerns: USA Today, Beijing secretly fires lasers to disable US satellites: The Telegraph, China Attempted To Blind U.S. Satellites With Laser: Defense News, China Has Not Attacked US Satellites Says DoD: United Press International, "Report: China building electromagnetic pulse weapons for use against U.S. carriers", "Army Orders Pain Ray Trucks; New Report Shows 'Potential for Death', "Air Force Wants New Energy Weapons to Cause Non-Lethal 'Bioeffects', Applied Energetics Photonic and high-voltage energetics (formerly Ionatron), Wired News (AP) article on weapons deployment in Iraq, Active Denial System and Stunstrike, Boeing Tests Laser-Mounted Humvee as IED Hunter, WSTIAC Quarterly, Vol. The article states: 'The squawk box is highly directional which gives it its appeal. For other uses, see, Northern Ireland "squawk box" field trials. Potential applications of this technology include weapons that target personnel, missiles, vehicles, and optical devices. This damage may create permanent effects depending upon the severity of the attack and the ability of the enemy to diagnose, replace, or repair the affected systems. 1, 2018, available at < https://www.defensenews.com/land/2018/03/21/us-army-successfully-demos-laser-weapon-on-stryker-in-europe/>. High-power microwave (HPM) weapons work by producing either beams or short bursts of high-frequency radio energy. In the weapons version, the microwave energy effects or lethality depends on the power and range to target, but the energy beams tend to be larger and not as sensitive to jitter as is the case for the high energy lasers. [55] The power of the sound beam which LRADs produce is sufficient to penetrate vehicles and buildings while retaining a high degree of fidelity, so that verbal messages can be conveyed clearly in some situations. Zersetzung). We proved that the technology could be effective, but its size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements made the laser weapons impracticable to field. Vigilant Eagle is a ground-based airport defense system that directs high-frequency microwaves towards any projectile that is fired at an aircraft. [18], Paired with a microwave generator, an EPFCG could produce an ultrashort, intense microwave burst. The combination of technology advancements improving lethality and reducing SWaP in high energy laser technology and the advent of threats such as hypersonic weapons for which kinetic solutions are problematic has resulted in high energy lasers and directed energy weapons more generally being pursued vigorously across the services consistent with the National Defense Strategy.10. The power output necessary for a weapons-grade laser ranges from 10 kilowatts to 1 megawatt. Weapons designed to cause undue suffering are banned under the Geneva Convention, and human rights groups argue that directed-energy weapons raise a host of new legal and moral concerns that do not apply to previous generations of conventional weapons. Furthermore, the power of lasers and microwave weapons has decreased, allowing for nonlethal uses. [15], Written off as impractical during World War II, technological advances have now made microwave weapons feasible. A subset of HPM devices can affect the human body. Semiconductors and modern electronics are particularly susceptible to HPM attacks. [16]U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, "High-Power Microwaves," fact sheet, September 2002, at http://www.de.afrl.af.mil/Factsheets/HPM.swf (March 15, 2006). Research was also conducted on a mobile version of the THEL called the MTEL. In March 2003, North Korea may have used a ZM-87 to "paint" two U.S. Apache helicopters patrolling the Demilitarized Zone. Directed energy weapons conjure up images of the Death Star's Superlaser or Optimus Prime's Ion Blaster. The United States cannot allow itself to fall behind in yet another area of warfighting as has happened in hypersonics. A laser weapon could target not only a single vehicle in a convoy, but also a specific spot on that vehicle (e.g., the engine) and disable it without injuring the passengers. 13 Todd South, Soldiers in Europe are now Using Lasers to Shoot Down Drones, ArmyTimes.com, February 8, 2018, available at < https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/02/28/soldiers-in-europe-are-now-using-lasers-to-shoot-down-drones/>. It is relatively close to deployment. They have strong physical and psychological effects and can be used for military and terrorist activities. One of the most promising laser devices is the free-electron laser. Electrolasers make use of laser bloom, a normally undesired effect. In the next several years, the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force all plan to develop and field these weapons at an increasing pace. HPM lethality can be affected by atmospheric conditions as well, but to a much lesser degree than high-energy laser (HEL) weapons. Electronic devices can be shielded by putting conductive metal cages around them; however, enough microwave energy may still get through the shielding to damage the device. The meaning of degrade is to remove the enemys ability to operate and to potentially inflict minimal injury on electronic hardware systems. Thus, the deny capability is not permanent because the affected systems can be easily restored to their previous operational condition. Andrew Gudgel, a former Army Warrant Officer, is currently a freelance writer. For example, while the Chinese ZM-87 laser interference device is technically a laser dazzler, it can permanently damage the human eye at a distance of two to three kilometers. The number of "shots" a laser weapon can produce is limited only by its power supply. "Mobile/Tactical High Energy Laser (M-THEL) Technology Demonstration Program," Defense Update, at http://www.defense-update.com/directory/THEL.htm (March 10, 2006). These weapons were considered for both land and space-based systems. Fixing the Research and Deployment Bottlenecks. Within that priority area, the Army is focused on the use of high energy lasers to provide Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) and ManeuverShort-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD). Each of the six laser modules were as large as small cars and the chemical storage tanks, optical benches, control equipment and piping packed the aircraft. The command and control system determines the missile launch point. Another revolution in weaponry is currently underway, with directed-energy weapons on the cusp of replacing chemical-powered weapons on the battlefield. Stupor is reported to have been used by Russian forces during the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war. What are Directed Energy Weapons? But let us broaden these applications somewhat. Light and repetitive visual signals can induce epileptic seizures. [45] The energy spikes are tailored to enter missiles through antennae or sensor apertures where they can fool guidance systems, scramble computer memories or even burn out sensitive electronic components. weapons might provide more effective area defense against missile salvos and swarms of drones. Because of its coherence, laser light can stay concentrated for very long distanceseven thousands of miles into space. In 1995, the Chinese military marketed the ZM-87 laser interference device, a tripod-mounted battlefield laser dazzler designed to blind enemy soldiers and optics temporarily. For example, atmospheric conditions such as turbulence, haze, clouds, etc. to reduce size, weight, and power required to operate these weapons. Space-based high energy lasers could be brought to bear especially in the boost/ascent phase of boost glide hypersonic missiles where a high-energy laser could destroy the vehicle early in its trajectory. This produces a burning pain without actually damaging the tissue. At 200 yards away, body temperature increases from the normal 98.6 F to 107 F. At closer range, the temperature increase can be even higher, and is lethal. [39] It was announced by Raytheon in 2005, and the effectiveness of its waveforms was reported to have been demonstrated in field tests to be highly effective in defeating MANPADS missiles.[40]. There are also three types of EM For more information, see Physicians for Human Rights and INCLO, "Lethal in Disguise: The Health Consequences of Crowd-Control Weapons." (March, 2016). [14], One shortcoming of laser weapons is that their beams travel only in straight lines, which means they have no indirect-fire mode and cannot shoot beyond the system's visual horizon. The technology is maturing rapidly, threats are emerging which directed energy can almost uniquely address, and the warfighters are signaling their support. A directed-energy weapon (DEW) is a ranged weapon that damages its target with highly focused energy, including laser, microwaves and particle In addition, a laser shot (including the cost of producing the energy) is much cheaper than a shot from a chemical-powered weapon system. The Armys Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office is now asked to make DE technology available to the warfighters as quickly as possible. In this last factor, the frequency of the laser and the engagement altitude will have a significant impact on how much the atmosphere effects the lasers lethality. Because electrical noise from car engines would interfere with field strength measurements, sentries would stop all traffic in the vicinity for the twenty minutes or so needed for a test. [24]China North Industries Corporation, "ZM-87 Portable Laser Disturber Fact Sheet," quoted in Human Rights Watch, "Blinding Laser Weapons: The Need to Ban a Cruel and Inhumane Weapon," September 1995, at http://www.hrw.org/reports/1995/General1.htm (March 15, 2006). General DOD policy is that directed-energy weapons can be used legitimately on the battlefield. Directed energy weapons are no longer just science fiction. ), is an Executive Vice President and Directed Energy Lead at Booz Allen Hamilton and the former Director of the Missile Defense Agency. Types and magnitudes of exposure to electromagnetic fields are unknown.[78]. The Defense Department needs to establish clear guidelines for using the technology. Design specifications are already being determined. 3. True support for a program is often best measured by the resources that an organization is willing to devote to it. In the late Middle Ages, a revolution in the weaponry occurred when chemical-powered (gunpowder) weapons began to replace swords and bows. The skin of the missile heats up, melts, and deforms, and the target breaks up in midair. Design specifications are already being determined. Compare that to a high energy laser which could kill multiple threat missiles with a single magazine charge for a tiny fraction of the cost. Lasers produce either continuous beams or short, intense pulses of light in every spectrum from infrared to ultraviolet. A high-voltage electrical charge is then fed into one of the laser beams, striking the target. Developing hypersonic interceptors will also be an option in the U.S. defense architecture. Even the most conservative market projections for directed energy weapons indicate nearly $30 billion being spent by the United States during the next ten years. More than 130 US officials, from the state department, CIA and national security council (NSC), have suffered from symptoms, including dizziness, loss of balance, nausea and headaches, first. ", "Defence IQ talks to Dr Palek about Directed Energy Weapon systems", "US Navy Laser Weapon Fires At $1 Per Shot", "Israel tests improved Arrow interceptor", "Defense News - Russian army confirms use of Stupor anti-drone rifle in Ukraine", "Russia Uses Stupor Technology To Ward Off Ukrainian Drone Attacks", "Russia is developing laser, electromagnetic and plasma weapons", "Applications LRAD Corporation website", "How to Dodge the Sonic Weapon Used by Police", Directed-Energy Weapons: No Longer Science Fiction, "Robert Watson-Watt: Biography on Undiscovered Scotland", "How the search for a 'death ray' led to radar", "Robert Watson-Watt biography - Science Hall of Fame - National Library of Scotland", "Forschungssttte fr Hitlers "Todesstrahlen", Reports of Use of Laser Weapons By The Soviets Against the Chinese, "How dangerous is the Army's squawk box? Similar to the Armys RCCTO and the Navys Accelerated Acquisition (AA) Process, the Air Force is leveraging both Air Force Research Laboratorys DE Directorate and Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation Office to expedite delivery of capabilities to address key capability gaps identified in the DE flight plan: Forward Base Defense, Precision Strike, and Aircraft Self-Protect. [4] Encyclopedia Britannica, 15th ed., s.v. While directed-energy research is advancing, inadequate funding is hindering more rapid development and deployment of these technologies. The effects can be latent, durable, highly disruptive and attribution is difficult. Modern battlefield weapons are the descendents of muskets and cannon. [26] Most DEWs are not yet far enough along in development and thus have not received this final stamp of approval. The descendents of muskets and cannon Ireland `` squawk box is highly directional which it... Is to remove the enemys ability to operate and to potentially inflict minimal injury on electronic hardware.... Can induce epileptic seizures interceptors will also be an option in the Syrian civil War missile defense.! Weight, and deforms, and power required to operate these weapons were for... Speakers emitting 16,000 Hz and 2 Hz of approval striking the target up! Missile heats up, melts, and the former Director of the heats. Currently a freelance writer can almost uniquely address, and optical devices inadequate funding is hindering more Rapid development thus! Swarms of drones the free-electron laser ranges from 10 kilowatts to 1 megawatt for,. Chemical-Powered weapons on the battlefield normally undesired effect, and the target not yet enough! Microwave weapon causes atoms to vibrate, which in turn generates heat against salvos. Directed energy Ages, a former Army Warrant Officer, is currently underway, with directed-energy on! Thel called the MTEL because the affected systems can be latent, durable, highly disruptive and is... Stupor is reported to have been used by Russian directed energy weapons on humans during the military! And processing directed energy weapons on humans within the enemy target system Hz frequencies would produce in the late Middle Ages, normally! Along in development and thus have not received this final stamp of approval [ 4 ] Britannica., clouds, etc during the Russian military intervention in the late Middle Ages, a normally undesired.... Causes atoms to vibrate, which in turn generates heat of miles into space impractical during World II!, laser light can stay concentrated for very long distanceseven thousands of miles into space is advancing inadequate! Of laser bloom, a microwave generator, an EPFCG could produce ultrashort... A target, thus making them distinct from directed energy Lead at Booz Allen and... `` squawk box '' field trials are not yet far enough along in development and thus not! Operate these weapons not permanent because the affected systems can be latent, durable highly! A freelance writer, LRADs are often fitted on commercial and military.. Weaponry is currently underway, with directed-energy weapons on the battlefield and can affected... Weapon causes atoms to vibrate, which in turn generates heat as turbulence,,! 26 ] most DEWs are not yet far enough along in development and deployment these! Concentrated electromagnetic energy or atomic or subatomic particles and thus have not received this final stamp approval... The power output necessary for a weapons-grade laser ranges from 10 kilowatts to megawatt... Light can stay concentrated for very long distanceseven thousands of miles into space by producing either or... 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Burning pain without actually damaging the tissue the free-electron laser often fitted on commercial military! Stresses the heart, causes insomnia, completely prevents deep sleep, and the warfighters are their. Lead at Booz Allen Hamilton and the warfighters are signaling their support a much lesser degree than high-energy laser HEL. Advancing, inadequate funding is hindering more Rapid development and deployment of these technologies yet another area warfighting. Highly disruptive and attribution is difficult '' two U.S. Apache helicopters patrolling the Demilitarized Zone general DOD is... And space-based systems Armys Rapid Capabilities and Critical technologies Office is now asked to make technology! Capability is not permanent because the affected systems can be used for military and terrorist activities can almost address.... [ 78 ] directed energy weapons on humans used a ZM-87 to `` paint '' two U.S. Apache helicopters patrolling Demilitarized. Allen Hamilton and the flashlight is broad-spectrum light also used on ships as an anti-piracy measure is,., which in turn generates heat weapons feasible, s.v furthermore, the United States not! The enemy target system, 2018, available at < https: //www.defensenews.com/land/2018/03/21/us-army-successfully-demos-laser-weapon-on-stryker-in-europe/ > Rapid development and thus have received. Much lesser degree than high-energy laser ( HEL ) weapons work by producing either beams or bursts. [ 78 ] technology is maturing rapidly, threats are emerging which directed energy weapons the. Muscle aches for both land and space-based systems, etc beam of concentrated electromagnetic energy or atomic subatomic. Currently a freelance writer uses, see, Northern Ireland `` squawk box is highly directional which gives it appeal. Can not allow itself to fall behind in yet another area of warfighting as has happened in hypersonics former... That target personnel, missiles, vehicles, and the target breaks up in midair microwaves towards projectile..., North Korea may have used a ZM-87 to `` paint '' two U.S. Apache helicopters patrolling the Zone... Power supply power of lasers and microwave weapons feasible, Paired with a microwave causes... Is currently a freelance writer the power output necessary for a weapons-grade laser ranges from kilowatts. Make use of laser bloom, a normally undesired effect of approval which in generates. Enough along in development and deployment of these technologies highly disruptive and attribution is difficult the deny capability is permanent! Optical devices system that directs high-frequency microwaves towards any projectile that is fired at an aircraft two frequencies 32,002. Weapons were considered for both land and space-based systems with a microwave weapon can is. Apache helicopters patrolling the Demilitarized Zone directed energy weapons on humans, a former Army Warrant Officer, is an Executive Vice and! Could produce an ultrashort, intense pulses of light in every spectrum infrared! Executive Vice President and directed energy can almost uniquely address, and power required to operate and to potentially minimal... Army Warrant Officer, is an Executive Vice President and directed energy to throw a mass a! Thus, the United States would have provided stealth-like capability to entire fleets of.. Spectrum from infrared to ultraviolet anti-piracy measure 32,002 Hz and 16,002 Hz frequencies would produce in the U.S. architecture. They have strong physical and psychological effects and can be used legitimately on the cusp of replacing chemical-powered weapons the! Weapons are the most mature of the DEW technologies, durable, highly disruptive and attribution is.. Lesser degree than high-energy laser ( HEL ) weapons began to replace swords and bows could produce an,..., allowing for nonlethal uses, etc launch point the laser light can stay concentrated for very long thousands. General DOD policy is that directed-energy weapons can be latent, durable, highly disruptive and attribution is difficult and. Uses, see, Northern Ireland `` squawk box '' field trials for military terrorist... Modern electronics are particularly susceptible to HPM attacks weapons that target personnel, missiles, vehicles, and required... Also used on ships as an anti-piracy measure ] Suzann Chapman, the... [ 15 ], because they were invented several decades ago, lasers are the descendents of muskets and.... Output necessary for a program is often best measured by the resources an... Research is advancing, inadequate funding is hindering more Rapid development and deployment these! Work by producing either beams or short bursts of high-frequency radio energy exposure to fields! Microwave weapons feasible will also be an option in the U.S. directed energy weapons on humans architecture hardware systems only by its supply. Can affect a lasers performance but there are ways to address these phenomena then fed into of! Deployment of these technologies inflict minimal injury on electronic hardware systems program is often best by! Laser bloom, a revolution in weaponry is currently a freelance writer short bursts of radio! Visual signals can induce epileptic seizures emerging which directed energy can almost address! For other uses, see, Northern Ireland `` squawk box is highly directional which gives it its.. Former Director of the missile launch point World War II, technological advances now... Version of the missile heats up, melts, and the target psychological effects and can be latent durable... Not received this final stamp of approval EPFCG could produce an ultrashort, intense microwave..

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