// UNMANNED SYSTEMS AND NEXT-GEN WARFARE TERM
Directed Energy Weapon
A Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) is a system that projects highly focused energy, such as lasers, microwaves, or particle beams, at a target to damage or incapacitate it, rather than using traditional projectiles or explosives.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) is a non-kinetic weapon system employing concentrated electromagnetic spectrum energy (e.g., high-energy lasers, high-power microwaves, or particle beams) to achieve target damage, neutralization, or destruction, offering advantages like speed-of-light engagement and deep magazine capacity within military applications.
BACKGROUND
A directed-energy weapon (DEW) is a ranged weapon that damages its target with highly focused energy without a solid projectile, including lasers, microwaves, particle beams, and sound beams. Potential applications of this technology include weapons that target personnel, missiles, vehicles, and optical devices.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- DEW
- Energy weapon
- Laser weapon
- Microwave weapon
- Beam weapon
- Particle beam weapon
USAGE NOTE
DEWs are a rapidly evolving technology being developed for defensive applications like missile defense and drone neutralization, as well as potential offensive roles.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Directed Energy Weapon.
Develops, integrates, and tests high-energy laser weapon systems for air, land, and sea platforms, including programs like ATHENA and various tactical laser weapon systems for defense applications.
A leader in high-energy laser (HEL) and high-power microwave (HPM) systems for defense applications, including counter-UAS, air defense, and missile defense.
Specializes in high-energy lasers for air and missile defense, as well as developing advanced directed energy solutions for various military platforms.
Has a history of involvement in directed energy, including the Airborne Laser program and continued research into laser weapons and other DEW concepts for defense applications.
Actively developing high-energy laser weapons, often integrated onto their unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for air-to-air and air-to-ground defense applications.
A primary U.S. government research organization for advanced aerospace technologies, including significant efforts in high-energy lasers and high-power microwave systems for various Air Force applications.