Europe - Directed Energy Weapons

Directed energy weapons are electromagnetic weapons operating at the speed of light to reach a long distance in spilt seconds. Directed energy systems convert electrical or chemical energy into a beam or pulse effect, which can be regulated to achieve specific results. The intensity, duration, focus of the beam, and wavelength can be manipulated to achieve precise results.

Besides the well established kinetic energy weapons and explosives, a completely new family of weapons, Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), is emerging. DEW mainly takes the shape of High Power Microwaves (HPM) and laser weapons. In general, DEW can be used for both destructive and nondestructive purposes, depending on the power of the weapon and for which purpose it is used. Some DEW systems are useful for both purposes, if they are given a tuneable effect, while some will only be useful for a narrower purpose.

Two attractive aspects of DEW is that the energy beam travels with the speed of light (although the weapon system could still take time to aim and to fire up) and that DEW do not consume ammunitions as such. They do however require significant energy supply and high-power DEW will likely consume more electrical power than any other mobile system in service installed. The power source aspects need to be taken into account when the total system size and logistics footprint of DEW is estimated, which makes the future role of DEW still uncertain – wide applicability or niche.

The effect of HPM is to destroy or disrupt electronics, such as that of an incoming missile, while laser weapons either blind optical sensors of platforms or weapons, or heat up their target to achieve a disruptive or destructive effect, such as prematurely igniting the warhead of an incoming weapon. HPM effects are mainly short-range but need not be as carefully aimed, while laser weapons are long-range but are dependent on careful aiming to achieve their effects.

Close-range self-protection of valuable platforms against incoming weapons could be achieved by integrated HPM functionality into the platform, provided that the electronics systems of the platform will not be harmed when the HPM is engaged. Other uses to which HPM charges or weapons may be put include clearance of mines and IEDs, and disruption of adversaries’ electronics equipment, such as communication systems and radars.

Conversely, HPM weapons, including improvised HPM charges, may pose a threat to forces, both to C4ISR systems and to platforms. While it is a threat to equipment rather than troops, widespread disruption or destruction of electronics equipment could quickly translate into a loss of effectiveness and coherence that will lead to casualties in an operational environment. A reasonable resistance against HPM and some redundancy of systems will therefore be desirable.

High-power laser weapons will mainly be used for ground- and sea-based air defence purposes against ballistic missiles and aerial platforms. The attractive aspect of laser weapons in comparison to surface-to-air missiles is that they are not dependent on a flight time to intercept. The practical range of such weapons, if they become medium- or long-range, will depend on what power level that can be implemented, the management of the laser beam (in terms of collimation and divergence) and if the problems of atmospheric disturbances can be managed.

Laser weapons of somewhat lower power levels can be used to disrupt adversaries’ optical sensors in order to disrupt their ISTAR activities and weapons use. Due to the possibility of eye injury when directed against troops and manned platforms, there are some legal and ethical limitations to this use, which do not apply in the case of targeting missiles and unmanned vehicles used by adversaries.

The unpredictable nature of technological development means that the most novel and disruptive breakthroughs – sometimes referred to as ‘Black Swans’ – can be almost impossible to predict, occurring with little or no warning but potentially large impact. At the same time, it is possible to identify new and emerging technologies that are beginning to come into focus today and anticipate their future impact on the mission, shape and capabilities of military forces. Examples of possible applications of key enabling technologies to military tasks include directed energy weapons (DEW) to counter adversary swarms of UAVs and mass fires, providing improved magazine depth and flexibility of effects.

The European Defence Agency’s work in the Research & Technology domain is in line with the Agency’s mission to support Member States in their efforts to improve defence capabilities. EDA organises its R&T priorities in different Capability Technology Areas (CapTechs), which are networking fora for experts from government, industry, small and medium enterprises (SME) and academia, moderated by EDA. CapTech Radio Frequency Sensors Technologies deals with Sensors and Electronic Warfare Systems applying radio frequency, magnetic and electronic technology. Directed energy weapons are also addressed in the CapTech. Activities are not limited to the equipment, but also related topics are involved such as signal processing, electromagnetic propagation, signature control and reduction.

RF Directed Energy Weapons based upon various physical principles are expected to become more important in the future for military effects based operations. Unfortunately, such technologies are quite useful for criminal and terrorist purposes as well. Non-Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse/ High Power Microwaves, or NNEMP/HPM, technologies are developed and can be used in special weapon systems to disturb military or civilian system behaviour. Intentional and unintentional electromagnetic radiation can have an important impact on different services and facilities containing electronic hardware and/or using telecommunication technologies.

The HIPOW Consortium (Protection of Critical Infrastructures against High Power Microwave Threats) consists of 14 partner companies and organizations, spanning 10 European countries. Many have previously been involved in research on natural threats, NNEMP/HPM effects and mitigation in a NATO context, as well as protection of Civilian CI. All have relevant backgrounds, covering Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), CI design and protection, as well as configuration and implementation of modern digital infrastructure. We have a good mix of Government, Industry and Academic organizations, a Consortium well suited for efficient analysis of the NNEMP/HPM problem universe.

An analysis by Triton Market Research has concluded that the European directed energy weapons market is expected to grow and extend at a CAGR of 21.61% during the forthcoming period 2019-2028. The Europe’s DEW market was estimated at $1238.82 million in 2013, and expected to reach $2994.48 million by 2018. It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19.3% from 2013 to 2018. The European directed energy weapons market constituted 24.80% of the global directed energy weapon market in 2013. Around 73.60% of the total DEW market of Europe was accounted for by defense applications and the remaining 26.40% was under homeland security in 2013. Changing nature of warfare and innovation and replenishment programs are the factors are driving the growth of the market. It is observed that the high energy laser has the highest market size among the other technologies.

The directed energy weapons market growth in the United Kingdom is driven by considerable investments in the development of DEW (Distant Early Warning). For example, it is reported that the Defense Ministry of the UK signed an agreement worth $42 million, with the UK Dragon Fire, the country’s industrial team, for conducting the R&D of laser-enabled directed energy weapons. Similarly, the Ministry of Defence in the UK has even allocated about $1122.2 million towards the development of advanced directed laser energy weapons. These advanced directed energy weapons may find applications in both sea and land-based defense applications. The increasing adoption of these systems is fueling the demand for these weapon systems in the country. These factors are likely to augment the growth of the directed energy weapons market.

There is increasing adoption of advanced directed energy weapons in the defense sector of Germany, which is primarily driving the growth of the country’s market. In 2017, MBDA Germany introduced an innovative LWS (Laser Weapon System), which was based on high-energy lasers. It was used in the military sector to test the tracking system. These factors are estimated to aid the studied market in the coming years.

BAE Systems is a global company engaged in defense, security and aerospace industry offering products & services for naval, air and land forces. Besides, the company provides military aircraft, radars, space systems, guided weapon system submarines and C4ISR systems. It caters its services to governments, commercial businesses and large prime contractors. It is headquartered in London, the UK.