Directed-energy weapons employ highly focused energy, not a solid projectile, in order to target a target. Examples of such weapons are lasers or microwaves as well as sound beams and particle beams. These weapons are also useful against vehicles and personnel. These weapons can also be used against biological targets like infected animals.
Raytheon Phaser system
The Phaser system is a directed energy weapon that could be deployed from an aircraft or a vehicle. It can destroy many aerial threats, including helicopters, missiles, and manned planes. The Phaser beam can also target ground targets. The system may be suitable for use in a variety of roles, including airborne close-air support and long-range ballistic missile defense.
The company has been testing the Air Force's directed energy weapons portfolio. Raytheon has won two major contracts from Air Force Research Laboratory. Raytheon has been also testing the High-Energy Laser Weapon System, (HELWS), and the Phaser high-powered microwave. The Air Force has not yet disclosed the contract value and formal negotiations have not been conducted.
Raytheon's HPM System
After two untrained drones attacked Saudi oil production facilities, renewed interest has been given to the development of directed energy weapons. This attack showed the ability of UAS to defeat conventional air defence systems. This increased the urgency of developing directed energy weapons, and Raytheon Technologies is one company advancing these technologies.
Directed energie weapons can hit a target with extreme heat and a powerful microwave that can damage an electronic device's brain. The effect may be so subtle that the user may never even realize it took place. These weapons are also useful for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Raytheon HEL-system
Raytheon's HEL for direct energy weapons, which Raytheon developed, can destroy drones or rockets in less than two seconds. It is expected that it will be ready for high power trials in 2021. Lasers are becoming more important as the price of traditional weapons keeps rising. Last year, the UK Ministry of Defence awarded the company a contract to develop a demonstrator system.
Researchers faced challenges in beam propagation while developing the HEL system. The beam lost power because of distortions in its path through the atmosphere. Localised heating only made the problem worse. The HEL weapon could not penetrate the clouds because of this.
Raytheon's plasma based MARAUDER system
Raytheon began working on a plasma weapon for directed energy in the 1990s. This plasma-based railgun could launch plasma rounds at very high speeds. It had the potential to be highly mobile, and it could shoot down incoming missiles. However, since the mid-1990s, little has been revealed about the project.
These weapons are powered by two primary types, plasma-based and particle stream energy. Plasma weapons release subatomic particles which cause damage to the targets they pass. Particle stream weapons use a laser designationator to fire the beam from a distance. Plasma weapons also have the potential to cause secondary impact damage to the target.