Executive Summary: DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND UTILIZATION

Light Dragoons Firepower on Warcop Ranges [ 1 ]

China and Russia have developed several newly technologies in recent years that might threaten the domination of the US in the military sphere, including Directed Energy Weapons ( DEWs ). These weapons systems belong to the category of “ non-lethal weapons, ” which complement the conventional ones and, in many cases, evening replace them and are available in technologically promote countries. DEWs use balance beam of acute energy to target people, vehicles, and other weapons to disable or destroy them, which can be in the shape of lasers, radiation, microwave, and audio. The principle of operation of guided energy weapons is the assiduity of energy in small rays or microwaves and the concentration of department of energy at a point for the destruction of the electronic equipment of the conflict platform. China ‘s and Russia ’ s willingness to quickly develop emerging technologies on a massive scale means that it is highly likely their military will quickly reap the benefits of any scientific progress and electric potential military operation, despite the US efforts to respectively advance such weapons so that it can face its competitors.

China has been working on respective different types of DEWs, the most big of which is the anti-satellite weapon system ( ASAT ) that will use a air of energy to disable the satellite. China, in late years, has been working on perfecting this weapon and has utilized it against the US in 2006 to strike US satellites in eye socket. [ 2 ] If China were able to perfect this weapon, it could be used to take out any military or news satellites in orbit, causing an increase in tensions between all countries involved. In addition, at the International Aerospace Exhibition in Moscow in 2019, China ’ s Aerospace Science and Industry Company demonstrated the LW-30 laser weapon system, which could use high-octane emit lasers to instantly track and intercept respective aerial targets from photoelectric steering equipment to aircraft, guided bomb calorimeter, and mortar shells. [ 3 ] For exemplify, utilizing this weapon in any potential military operations in the South China Sea, where China is peculiarly aggressive in the recent months deploying more forces, would be highly efficient for the defense and protection of its already militarized artificial islands in these challenge waters, and for encountering the US united states navy armed forces.

furthermore, microwave weapons are widely used in China ‘s large coat warships. For example, Type 055 is equipped with a high-octane microwave launcher ( HPM ) projectile system, which combines microwave weapons with indoor pistols and defense missiles to form a complete missile network. [ 4 ] undoubtedly, China is one of the most significant competing forces that the US has to face, not only economically and commercially, but besides in armaments. The advance weapons systems of both countries seek to gain the amphetamine pass therefore that the technical advantage becomes a victory lead on the battlefield in a possible US-China war. China ‘s State Broadcasting Corporation ( CCTV ) has released footage showing a new system of guide energy weapons or the Chinese laser weapon, but details of the development of this new weapon were not disclosed. [ 5 ] According to identified sources, the system was designed to immediately eliminate offshore enemy threats, such as small boats, warships, and unman vehicles and aircrafts. [ 6 ] however, the chinese Type 055 equipped with the microwave launcher and integrated electric office plant is highly likely to be used against low-level asymmetrical threats and, if successful, will likely be made separate of the People ‘s Liberation Army Navy armory, as it is expected that the newfangled system could have escalating levels of power, depending on the purpose it seeks to achieve, whether it is preventing leery forces or destroying enemy targets.

On November 11, 2020, there were claims by the technical Jin Canrong that the taiwanese PLA soldiers had used DEWs ( laser weapons ) against the duration of clashes at the Ladakh edge. [ 7 ] According to these claims, the chinese military made advanced use of high-octane microwave weapons when indian soldiers were in see of Ladakh peaks. The army was able to emit microwaves from the mountain base to the top of the batch, where the indian soldiers took up positions, turning it into an ‘oven, ‘ causing the indian soldiers to withdraw from their prevailing positions cursorily. [ 8 ] Such an incident demonstrates that a mastermind energy attack is impossible or unmanageable to be prevented and proves that the use of DEWs is effective for secret military missions.

Another incidental identifying the use of DEWs was when US diplomats posted in China and Cuba, who have been reported to experience austere headaches, memory personnel casualty, dizziness, hearing forte noises, and then personnel casualty of earshot, proportion and concentration problems, along with concussion symptoms and other issues since early 2016. The mysterious stipulate became unofficially known as “ Havana Syndrome, ” and it is suspected that these officials were attacked with laser weapons and guided microwaves. [ 9 ] A holocene report claimed that a CIA probe revealed that russian agents were using a secret laser weapon to inflict mind damage on US spies and diplomats worldwide – tied on US land. [ 10 ] The waves helped implant information errors in the embassy walls, paving the way for US intelligence to infiltrate russian communications networks. furthermore, the US is investigating attacks in Syria in 2021 that appear to have the characteristics of aim energy strikes against US troops, which appear to be cryptically ill in Syria, and the Pentagon suspects Russia. [ 11 ] If true, this would mean that DEWs could be utilized in areas where Russia wants to be involved and hush stay undetected and could be quickly promote further to be deployed for the major approach in a conflict as they can disable about the integral personnel of the troops.

Along with China, Russia is besides making plans to develop DEWs. Some of the weapons that Russia is pursuing include laser weapons, radio-electric weapons, and sonic weapons. [ 12 ] The Peresvet, a mobile laser organization mounted to a hand truck, targets satellites and attempts to blind or dazzle them. It does this to keep the satellites from collecting intelligence such as geographic images. [ 13 ] Russia is besides working on an electronic countermeasures system called Khibiny. This system can be mounted on aircraft and other vehicles and interrupts the electronic system of an opposing target. The russian military claims to have used this weapon in 2014 against the USS Donald Cook ; however, there is no actual evidence that this took place. [ 14 ] While the claims of its use have not been substantiated, Russia is continuing to develop the weapon and mount it on its aircraft. [ 15 ] It is expected that these systems will momentarily disrupt the electronics of a target vessel or fomite, but it is improbable to cause severe impacts. If Russia did develop this weapon to be angstrom effective as hop, it could prove closely impossible for the US and its allies to track aircraft, frankincense giving Russia an advantage. If Russia were to gain a military advantage over the US and its allies, the nation would likely be more uncoerced to launch military action in Eastern Europe.

Having to face the regardless advances of its competitors, the US is making rapid progress in developing DEWs. many variants of weapons have already been developed on surface ships and may be installed on aircraft soon. The US has developed energy weapons that work in a target manner as well. This year, the area sent respective types of weapons, High Energy Laser Weapon System ( HELWS ), PHASER High-Power Microwave Weapon, and Tactical High Power Operational Responsonder ( THOR ), to protect its bases by and large from drone attacks. The PHASER High-Power Microwave Weapon is mounted on a Polaris MRZR vehicle, functions as a microwave radar vector, and is deployed over shipping containers. [ 16 ] HELWS are utilized to destroy UAVs and are remotely controlled. [ 17 ] The third weapon, the THOR, is the US Air Force Research Laboratory merchandise and was developed to function as a reverse swarm electromagnetic weapon. The US is progressing in the DEWs arms race along with China and Russia, and these weapons will likely replace the conventional ones at a greater level in the pursuit years.

The Counterterrorism Group ( CTG ) has been and will continue to keep chase of emerging weapons and weapon development by countries global. The Weapons and Tactics ( W/T ) team is closely monitoring all the current arms races between significant states and will continue to detect and analyze any threats posed by the advancements on systems like the Directed Energy Weapons. ________________________________________________________________________ The Counterterrorism Group (CTG) [ 1 ] “ Light Dragoons Firepower on Warcop Ranges ” by Defence Images licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 [ 2 ] China may deploy anti-satellite laser weapons next year able to destroy U.S. military satellites, Military & Aerospace Electronics, February 2019, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.militaryaerospace.com/trusted-computing/article/16711585/china-may-deploy-antisatellite-laser-weapons-next-year-able-to-destroy-us-military-satellites [ 3 ] China Displays Laser Weapon at MAKS 2019, Defense World, August 2019, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.defenseworld.net/news/25368/China_Displays_Laser_Weapon_at_MAKS_2019 # .YLthpZC_wVE [ 4 ] China launches Type 055 Super Destroyer, Defence Forum India, June 2017, hypertext transfer protocol : //defenceforumindia.com/threads/china-launches-type-055-super-destroyer-warzone.79438/ [ 5 ] China Tests Laser Weapon Similar to US Navy Prototype, The Maritime Executive, April 2019, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.maritime-executive.com/article/china-tests-laser-weapon-similar-to-u-s-navy-prototype [ 6 ] China ‘s Type 055 Super Destroyer Is A Reality Check The US And Its Allies, The Drive, June 2017, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/11941/chinas-type-055-super-destroyer-is-a-reality-check-for-the-us-and-its-allies [ 7 ] chinese PLA Troops Used “ Laser Weapons ” Against amerind Soldiers in Ladakh, The eurasian Times, November 2020, hypertext transfer protocol : //eurasiantimes.com/chinese-pla-troops-used-laser-weapons-against-indian-soldiers-in-ladakh-chinese-expert-watch/ [ 8 ] Ibid [ 9 ] ‘ Havana Syndrome ’ probable caused by pulsate microwave energy, politics survey finds, NBC News, December 2020, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.nbcnews.com/news/all/havana-syndrome-likely-caused-microwave-energy-government-study-finds-n1250094 [ 10 ] Ibid [ 11 ] US troops in Syria seem to be getting hit with directed-energy attacks, and the Pentagon suspects Russia is doing it, report says, Business Insider, April 2021, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.businessinsider.com/pentagon-suspects-russia-directed-energy-attacks-us-troops-syria-report-2021-4 ? ampere [ 12 ] A farewell to traditional arms : Russia develops weapons for the future, Russia Beyond, July 2017, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.rbth.com/defence/2017/07/12/a-farewell-to-traditional-arms-russia-develops-weapons-for-the-future_801080 [ 13 ] Peresvet : a russian mobile laser system to dazzle foe satellites, The Space Review, June 2020, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.thespacereview.com/article/3967/1 [ 14 ] Fake russian EW fire unmasked, Defense Systems, May 2017, hypertext transfer protocol : //defensesystems.com/articles/2017/05/12/fakeew.aspx [ 15 ] Russia ‘s Su-34 strike Fighter Is All Killer, The National Interest, November 2020, hypertext transfer protocol : //nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-su-34-strike-fighter-all-killer-171934 [ 16 ] The Air Force Is Deploying Its First Drone-killing Microwave Weapon, Popular Mechanics, September 2019, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a29198555/phaser-weapon-air-force/

[ 17 ] High-Energy Laser Weapon Systems, Aerospace & Defense, June 2020, hypertext transfer protocol : //www.aerodefensetech.com/component/content/article/adt/features/articles/37108