Directed energy

Tucson Tech: Pentagon, Raytheon re-energize directed-energy weapons push

Raytheon is amping up development of its directed-energy weapon systems as the Pentagon looks to electromagnetic pulse devices and weaponized lasers to defeat drones and other airborne threats.

The defense contractor recently announced it scored 45 drone kills in an Army demonstration, using an advanced high-power microwave and a laser weapon mounted on an all-terrain vehicle.

The microwave system, made by a division of Tucson-based Raytheon Missile Systems based in Albuquerque, knocked down 33 small drones — two and three at a time — in a December test at the U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

In the same test, a high-powered laser mounted on a Polaris MRZR ATV shot down 12 airborne, maneuvering small and medium-sized unmanned aircraft, and destroyed six stationary mortar projectiles. The laser system was developed by Texas-based Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems.