Pentagon completes testing of new ‘microwave weapon’ — RT World News
The U.S. Navy and Air Force will soon complete a five-year research effort on a high-tech directed energy system
The US Army will organize a « synthesis test » for a new high-powered microwave weapon, according to Pentagon developers, who also noted progress on a separate microwave system intended to take down the enemy « swarms of drones. »
Final testing of the High Power Joint Non-Kinetic Electromagnetic Strike Weapon (HiJENKS) will be conducted jointly by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the Office of Naval Research at a military base near China Lake in California, under intensive testing this summer which marked the end of a five-year development project.
Jeffry Heggemeier, who heads the AFRL’s high-powered electromagnetics division, said the weapon still hasn’t found a platform, but noted that its smaller size would allow for a variety of combat uses.
« We’ll start looking at more service-specific apps once we’ve done this test that demonstrates the technology, » he told reporters during a briefing late last month.
The HiJENKS is designed to use high power microwaves to disable enemy electronics, building on previous work done over a decade ago under the Advanced High Power Microwave Missile Project. counter-electronic power, also known as CHAMP.
The Air Force is also making progress on another directed-energy microwave system, the Tactical High Power Operational Responder (THOR), which aims to « disable drone swarms » that could threaten troops or military bases, according to Adrian Lucero, THOR program manager.
« There are other effectors that are intended to work against drone systems like guns, nets, and laser systems, » Lucero said during the same June presser. « But what THOR brings to the table is that he has a greater range to affect and he has a reduced engagement time. »
A prototype THOR was recently sent overseas for testing, during which development teams attempted to extend the system’s range and increase its power, Lucero continued, adding that the weapon was reliable. at 94% in testing and has proven to be useful. « in the real world. »
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