TextSearch

Directed energy weapons (DEWs) could provide a number of capabilities and advantages over traditional weapons due to their speed-of-light delivery.

Directed Energy Weapons DEWs): Defense and Technology Trends AT Menu Search Sections Home News Analysis Features Comment Data Insights Projects Sectors Land Platforms Soldier Systems Weaponry C4ISR & Electronic Warfare Land Simulation and Training Infrastructure, Logistics & Support Services Technology Investment Themes Artificial Intelligence Corporate Governance Cloud Cybersecurity Environmental Sustainability Internet of Things Robotics Social Responsibility Insights Deals Jobs Filings Patents Social Media Companies  Company A-Z Company Categories Product & Services Company Releases White Papers Videos Buyer’s Guides Partner Content Events Reports Awards & Rankings Magazine GlobalData About Us Advertise With Us Contact Us Our Marketing Solutions GlobalData Reports Visit GlobalData From Our Partners Future of Sustainable Armor Steel Space Power Technology Solutions News Analysis Sections Features Comment Data Insights Projects LatestSoldier modernisation: lessons in lethalityGrounded in reality: charting the uncrewed land systems marketUkraine-Russia war: what will Belarus do? Sectors Sections Land Platforms Soldier Systems Weaponry C4ISR & Electronic Warfare Land Simulation and Training Infrastructure, Logistics & Support Services Technology Investment LatestL3Harris acquires Viasat’s Link 16 TDL product line for $1.96bnRafael introduces new counter-TBM capability for SPYDER systemElbit Systems to provide MBT training centres for Israeli forces Themes Sections Artificial Intelligence Cloud Corporate Governance Cybersecurity Environmental Sustainability Internet of Things Robotics Social Responsibility LatestL3Harris acquires Viasat’s Link 16 TDL product line for $1.96bnNCI Agency awards Cyber Security Services Framework contractsIntermat Insights Sections Deals Jobs Filings Patents Social Media LatestSAIC reports 1% revenue growth to $1.91bn in Q3 FY23Elbit Systems registers $1.34bn in revenue in third quarter of 2022Who’s hiring who? Hiring activity related to cybersecurity decreased by 11% in the aerospace, defence & security industry in Q3 2022 Companies Sections Company A-Z Company Categories Products & Services Company Releases White Papers Videos Buyer’s Guides Partner Content LatestMilitary companies leading the way in ESGWhy film capacitors are the backbone of modern electronicsEvolution of circular connectors for modern UAVs Events Reports AT Analysis Left Right Features Comment Data Insights Projects Comment August 3, 2020 Directed Energy Weapons: Defense and Technology Trends GlobalData Thematic Research Computer generated image illustrating the use of DEW on a Wildcat helicopter. Credit: Crown copyright. Directed energy weapons (DEWs) could provide a number of capabilities and advantages over traditional weapons due to their speed-of-light delivery, precision engagement, controlled/scalable effects, logistical benefits, and low cost per shot. Furthermore, DEWs are silent, offer plausible deniability, can travel immense distances relative to conventional weapons, and engage multiple targets. Consequently, these advantages will support the development of a wide spectrum of military equipment and capabilities. Listed below are the key defence and technology trends impacting the DEW theme, as identified by GlobalData. Growing demand for counter unmanned air vehicles and drones DEWs have begun to be used in many operational areas where the threats have increased and become more complex. Because of the proliferation of UAVs and their growing threat to critical facilities, the majority of DEWs are being developed for use against UAVs and small crafts. Directed Energy Weapons, such as High Energy Laser and High Powered Microwave weapons, are often used against drones. The U.S. Air Force has used a Raytheon-made high-energy laser to destroy dozens of small drones. Need for anti-ballistic missile systems to fuel growth of the market The demand for anti-ballistic missile systems is increasing due to the increased need to protect critical infrastructure and civilian lives. The expanding nuclear capabilities of North Korea and Iran, the rapid development of military arsenal in China, Russian aggression in Baltic Sea, and potential access to ballistic missiles by major terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and ISIS have driven the development of anti-ballistic missile systems. The US, Russia, and Israel have developed the A-35 anti-ballistic missile system, the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense, and the Arrow 3 counter-ICBM systems respectively. Countries such as China, the UK, Italy, France, and India are currently developing improved versions of their existing ballistic missile protection systems. The anti-ballistic missile systems utilises targeted DEWs to destroy incoming ballistic missiles mid-flight. These systems are gaining significant importance due to the rapid proliferation of ballistic missiles amongst insurgent groups and rouge nations. DEWs against hypersonic missiles Trends indicate that missiles of the future will be faster and stealthier with increased lethality. Technology leaders are developing hypersonic missiles that cannot be intercepted or even targeted. Significantly reduced warning times (a factor of threats being launched at short range and/or detected late) is one of the biggest problems. DEWs can provide high speed reaction times and are likely to become the most important part of hypersonic missile defence systems. Beam combining technology Beam combining technology is able to achieve enhanced power density on target, reducing defeat times, and increasing engagement range. The combination of beams can be performed using three techniques – coherent beam combining, incoherent beam combining, and spectral beam combining. Companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems, Raytheon, QinetiQ, and Boeing are investing in these techniques to improve military capabilities. The advent of these techniques and the successes achieved by the researchers will equip military forces with weapons that will transform the nature of modern-day warfare. High power laser beams are expected to be evaluated for application in defensive and offensive applications by military forces. Increasing demand for airborne DEWs Airborne DEWs have long been sought after for military organisations. Recent advancements in technology, coupled with years of effort by scientists worldwide, have facilitated substantial breakthroughs in airborne laser systems. For instance, Northrop Grumman Corporation was awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for the development of a new laser system which will protect fifth-generation US fighters from incoming missiles from hostile forces. The US Air Force was scheduled to begin the initial testing of the system in 2019 and plans to install the system on both in-service and future aircraft. The US Army is also aiming to deploy high energy laser systems onto its multi-mission helicopters. The key challenge to the use of helicopter mounted laser systems is the capability of the helicopter to generate the required amount of power in combat conditions. Preventing collateral damage Conventional weapons, such as guided missiles and rockets can stop threats at long distances and create large areas of effect. These weapons can cause unwanted collateral damage, especially when the targeting process is not high precision. Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) offer significantly improved accuracy and precision compared to existing conventional weapons. Need for crowd control and identified personnel deterrence by homeland security forces The use of firepower by Homeland Security agencies in urban areas on civilian targets is banned by domestic and international laws worldwide. This has driven the demand for non-lethal DEWs. Driven by the progress in technological innovations, various crowd control and personnel incapacitation systems have been introduced for use by Homeland Security Forces. For example, in the US, the use of electroshock stun gun, Taser, became an effective non-lethal option for personnel deterrence by the law enforcement agencies. The LRAD have been deployed on several occasions worldwide and have proven effective without causing any severe injury to the targets. These weapons are gradually becoming more common for law enforcement agencies. Improved technological devices for non-lethal use of force are expected to replace some existing DEWs over the years. This is an edited extract from the Directed Energy Weapons (Defense) – Thematic Research report produced by GlobalData Thematic Research. Share this article Recommended Reports Directed Energy Weapons (Defense) - Thematic Research The Future of Disruptive Tech Themes in Defense UCAV- Market Outlook, Demand Drivers and Advanced Weapon Technologies Hypersonic Technologies (Defense) - Thematic Research Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) Market - Key Drivers, Trends and New Developments View All Companies Intelligence QinetiQ Ltd Homeland Security Corporation Genasys Inc Boeing China Inc BAE Systems Plc View All More Comment View More Features Soldier modernisation: lessons in lethality Features Grounded in reality: charting the uncrewed land systems market Features Ukraine-Russia war: what will Belarus do? Features Russo-Ukraine war equipment loss ten times that of Moscow’s Chechen conflicts The leading site for news and procurement in the defence industry About us Advertise with us Contact us Editorial approach Newsletters Our marketing solutions Our network Privacy policy Terms and conditions Powered by © Verdict Media Limited 2023 Lost Password Back ⟶ Login Register Get new password Lost Password? Login Registration is disabled. Privacy Preference CenterWhen you visit any website, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This information might be about you, your preferences or your device and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to. The information does not usually directly identify you, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. Because we respect your right to privacy, you can choose not to allow some types of cookies. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings. However, blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. More informationAllow All Manage Consent PreferencesStrictly Necessary CookiesAlways ActiveThese cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.View Vendor Details‎Performance Cookies Performance Cookies These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.View Vendor Details‎Functional Cookies Functional Cookies These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.View Vendor Details‎Targeting Cookies Targeting Cookies These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.View Vendor Details‎Back Button BackVendor Search Search IconFilter IconClear checkbox label labelApply CancelConsent Leg.Interest checkbox label label checkbox label label checkbox label labelView CookiesNamecookie name Confirm My ChoicesWe Value Your PrivacyWe may store and access personal data such as cookies, device identifiers or other similar technologies on your device and process such data to enhance site navigation, personalize ads and content when you visit our sites, measure ad and content performance, gain audience insights, analyze our site traffic as well as develop and improve our products and services. Further information on the cookies we use and their purpose can be found on our website privacy policy accessible here. We use necessary cookies to make our site work. Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this may affect how the website functions. We'd also like to set optional cookies to help us improve our website and help improve your experience whilst on our website. By clicking ‘Accept All Cookies’ you agree to us enabling all optional cookies for these purposes. Alternatively, you can set which optional cookies you wish to enable (and update your preferences including withdrawing your consent) at any time, by clicking ‘Cookie Settings’. Accept All CookiesCookies Settings