W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES (UK) LTD.
The Threat to Airborne Systems From High Power Microwave, Direct Energy Weapons
Microwave weapons concepts originated early in WWII, when British radar engineers came up with the idea of a "super interferometer" which would produce microwaves capable of destroying enemy electronics.
Further high power microwave and pulse power generation research grew out of investigations of nuclear electromagnetic pulses (EMP's) during the 1940's through the 1960's.
The years following WWII saw exponential growth in the use of electronic systems such as GPS, Phased Array Antennas, Infra Red Sensors etc. As the technology developed, equipment became more powerful, sophisticated and smaller.
It is clear therefore, that military systems have long exploited the electromagnetic frequency spectrum. The down side to this is that the modern battlefield and airspace has become a target rich environment with a greater dependence being placed on electronic sub-systems. It is these systems that are potential targets for direct energy weapons in the form of High Power Microwaves.
Today, HPM weapons for both defence and attack have been deployed and used successfully in a number of theatres of conflict.
This paper attempts to highlight the effect of these weapons on airborne equipment and sensor systems.
To download the full paper CLICK HERE (.PDF)
