Directed-energy weapons like laser weapons, microwaves, and particle beam weapons are future of defense

McLEAN, Va. – If the Pentagon intends to be laser-focused in its goal to improve directed-energy weapons, it has just a few years to decide whether it wants to invest heavily in the new technology, according to the former director of the Missile Defense Agency. Military.com reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

20 Dec. 2018 -- "There are some things that kinetic weapons will not be able to do" now or in the future, said Henry "Trey" Obering, an executive vice president at consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean, Va., who leads the company's directed energy innovation team.

Directed-energy weapons attack their targets with focused energy, and include including laser weapons, microwave weapons, and particle beam weapons.

Obering said the Pentagon -- should it get its $700-billion-plus spending boost -- could afford to throw additional resources toward the laser weapons and the like. It's an investment, much like the one the Pentagon made years ago to smart, laser- or GPS-guided munitions as opposed to dumb bombs that paid off, starting with Operation Desert Storm.

Related: Electronics-killing EMP weapons for combat aircraft is focus of $15 million contract to Raytheon

Related: Laser weapons at the crossroads

Related: Navy approaches industry for ideas on how to counter directed energy weapons

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

Ready to make a purchase? Search the Military & Aerospace Electronics Buyer's Guide for companies, new products, press releases, and videos