(PatriotPostNews.com) – In an effort to strengthen defenses, the Pentagon has expedited the development of weapons to combat unmanned aerial systems (UAS) also known simply as drones. As part of a $66 million deal, the Pentagon tapped defense contractor Epirus to produce a prototype microwave energy weapon. The weapon can discharge energy waves to disable drones mid-flight.
The US military has received three prototypes of the weapons so far. The Defense Department’s goal is to develop a weapon that can disable drone swarms. Tests are currently underway to determine if the energy weapon has a future within the United States military.
The Department of Defense has spent roughly $1 billion a year on the research and development of energy weapons. The US has partnered with Israel to develop a laser cannon capable of shooting down incoming artillery. The cannon has been branded the “Iron Beam.” Israel already boasts a power defense system known as the “Iron Dome.” The Iron Beam is expected to outperform the Iron Dome. Each shot costs a fraction of the price of an Iron Dome missile.
The UK is also developing a similar weapon that uses directed radio waves to disable drones and other artillery. The British radio wave cannon is small enough to be deployable in nearly any environment. The cannon can disable a drone up to one kilometer away. Like the Iron Beam, the UK weapon is cost-effective compared to the rockets currently used against airborne targets.
World militaries are on edge as the Israel-Gaza war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict rage on. Israel, the US, and the UK all cited fears over drone swarms as reasons to expedite the development of these defensive weapons.
Energy weapons are not entirely new. The US army currently uses a short range directed energy weapon dubbed “Guardian.” The short-range weapon has an energy output of up to 50 kW, whereas the new prototype can output up to 300 kW.
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