Aerospace and defense market reports suggest that directed energy weapons (DEWs) are electromagnetic or particle technologies that hit a target with energy rather than a physical projectile. DEWs have been researched and developed for decades. The development of DEWs has encountered several technical and operational difficulties. One of the primary challenges of D development is the power source. Aerospace and defense market reports suggest that directed energy weapons require a high power density power source. Aviation and defense professionals suggest that hard cases or pouch cells are both options for high-power batteries. In a small package, they offer a high power density of more than 30kW/kg (90kW/l) and high-rate capabilities of 400C for a one-second pulse or 100C continuous usage. These power solutions are highly suitable for compact directed energy weapons and handheld directed energy weapons.
US
Aerospace and defense market reports specialists that the Department of Defense (DOD) supports a variety of research initiatives, including those at the Defense Advanced Projects Research Agency (DARPA), the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), and the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) (DARPA). Aviation and defense specialists’ state that in support Directed Energy Roadmap, MDA’s Directed Energy Demonstrator Development program focuses on technology risk reduction and maturation for high-powered strategic lasers, beam control, lethality, and associated technologies. In FY2021, the program got $42 million. Congress allocated $39 million for ongoing research work even though MDA did not request money for the program in FY2022 because of a shift in Department of Defense priorities. The Directed Energy Demonstrator Development program was not funded by MDA in FY2023 as per Aerospace and defense market reports and Aviation and defense specialists.
According to Aerospace and defense market reports , for FY2023, OSD proposed $49 million for High Energy Laser Development, which supports applied research, and $16 million for High Energy Laser Research Initiatives, which fund fundamental research and educational initiatives. In addition, OSD requested an additional $111 million in FY2023 for High Energy Laser Advanced Development, which aims to scale the output power of DE systems to levels that are operationally effective and adaptable to a variety of DOD mission areas. Aviation and defense professionals state that to continue its evaluations of directed energy weapons, including assessment of the weapons’ impacts, efficacy, and limits, OSD sought $11 million in FY2023. Aviation and defense specialists suggest that DARPA’s Waveform Agile Radio-frequency Directed Energy (WARDEN) program aims to increase the range and lethality of high-power microwave weapons for guided missile defense, electronic attack, and vehicle and vessel disruption.
INDIA
As per Aviation and defense specialists’, defense Research and Development Organization’s Center for High Energy Systems and Sciences is a defense lab. High Energy Laser Systems are the focus of CHESS research and development. The defense lab develops the nation’s Directed Energy Weapons or DEWs. According to Aerospace and defense market reports, the source for producing the laser is currently being developed at the DRDO laboratories, Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), and Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS). India is also believed to have developed a system known as KALI, or “kilo ampere linear injector,” a linear electron accelerator for targeting long-range missiles.
CHINA
Aviation and defense market news suggests that Chinese defense research has suggested creating several counter-space DEWs that are both reversible and irreversible to possibly damage satellite parts and blinding electro-optical sensors. China possesses a variety of ground-based laser weapons with varied powers to interfere with, harm, or destroy satellites, including a limited capacity to use laser systems against satellite sensors at the moment as per Aviation and defense market news.
As per Aerospace and defense market reports, the PLA will continue to work on creating and deploying co-orbital DEW weapons. Co-orbital DEWs provide several benefits over ground-based systems, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics, and Physics, one of China’s top research centers for the advancement of laser technology. The research center is believed to be at the forefront of developing china’s directed energy weapons capability. Aviation and defense market news indicates that power needs for space-based equipment would be greatly reduced with closer proximity to satellites in orbit and no need to enter the atmosphere.
RUSSIA
Aviation and defense market news stated that several ground-based lasers owned by Russia are capable of disabling satellite sensors. By July 2018, Russia has started providing its Aerospace Forces with the Peresvet laser weapon system. The Peresvet laser system, which is mobile on the ground, is intended to use its laser to disable enemy optical tracking systems, including satellite-based ones. The system’s purpose is to conceal the movement of tactical missile systems. According to Aerospace and defense market reports, by 2030, Russia could have access to more potent systems that extend the danger to the structural integrity of every satellite, in addition to electro-optical ISR.
ISREAL
As per Aviation and defense market specialists, the Iron Beam, Israel’s latest DEW laser missile defense system that can intercept an infinite amount of mortars, rockets, and anti-tank missiles, has undergone a successful test. Iron Beam is a directed energy weapon air defense system created by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to work in conjunction with several aerial defense systems. It is possible to use Iron Beam technology effectively on land, in the air, and at sea. Over the next 10 years, the Israel Defense Forces plan to place laser systems throughout Israel’s borders to defend the nation against attacks as per Aerospace and defense market reports.
As per Aerospace and defense market reports, continuing miniaturization will lead to portable handheld directed energy weapons that can be used against the kamikaze drone and UAVs. The continuing proliferation of kamikaze drones and UAVs will promote quicker development and adoption of handheld directed energy weapons. According to Aerospace and defense market reports, DEWs, particularly lasers, provide substantial advantages over conventional weapons, such as precise engagement and cheap cost per shot, future improvements are anticipated to concentrate on significantly expanding defensive roles.
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