Air Force deploys B-52 missiles that could disable enemy military electronics with high-power microwaves

May 17, 2019
Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) missiles were built by the Boeing Phantom Works for Air Force researchers.

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio – The U.S. Air Force has deployed at least 20 missiles that could zap the military electronics of North Korea or Iran with high-power microwaves, rendering their military capabilities virtually useless without causing any fatalities. The Daily Mail reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

17 May 2019 -- The U.S. Air Force has deployed at least 20 missiles that could zap the military electronics of North Korea or Iran with high-power microwaves, rendering their military capabilities virtually useless without causing any fatalities.

Known as the Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), the missiles were built by Boeing's Phantom Works for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and tested successfully in 2012. They have not been operation until now.

The microwave weapons are fitted into an air-launched cruise missile and delivered from B-52 bombers. With a range of 700 miles, they can fly into enemy airspace at low altitude and emit sharp pulses of high power microwave (HPM) energy that fry computer chips to disable any electronic devices targeted by the missiles with causing any collateral damage.

Related: Boeing non-kinetic missile performs flight test with little to no collateral damage

Related: Air Force looking for power sources and antennas for future high-power microwave weapons

Related: Army asks Lockheed Martin to develop UAV high-power microwave weapons to destroy or disable enemy drones

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics

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