The U.S. Navy and Air Force have commissioned Raytheon to design, build and test two high-power microwave antenna systems. These systems will be used in field-grade directed energy weapons to counter aerial drones and similar threats.
Recent conflicts illustrate the increasingly important role drones play in modern warfare. Even a small quadcopter drone bought at a hobby store can be easily converted into an artillery reconnaissance platform or even a hand grenade dropper. Coupled with purpose-built military drones of various sizes and sophistications, the result is a formidable force that can be deployed in staggering numbers.
To deal with this threat, scientists and engineers have come up with many solutions. The most promising of these is the use of directed energy weapons, which use lasers and microwaves to disrupt or destroy enemy drones. The beauty of such systems is that, if they work, they can use unlimited ammo, only cost a dollar a round, and can travel at the speed of light. The weapons can also be programmed to cover large swaths of the sky while sparing friendly aircraft.
Under a three-year, $31.3 million contract from the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, Raytheon is tasked with developing a prototype antenna system by 2026 as part of the Directed Energy Forward Electromagnetic Neutralization and Destruction (DEFEND) program.
The purpose of the program is to produce rugged components for a weapon that can emit high-energy beams over a wide range of the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum. Such microwaves have the potential to confuse, disrupt or even completely destroy a drone’s electronics, sensors and communications, turning it from a potential threat into a piece of scrap metal.
Colin Whelan, president of advanced technologies at Raytheon, said: "Non-kinetic defense systems are an important part of the U.S. defense strategy. Raytheon's new iteration of high-power microwave systems are cost-effective and reliable solutions that operate at the speed of light, allowing our warfighters to defend against faster, more mobile threats."