Thanks to science fiction writers and theorists, a mass of classes of the so-called. directed energy weapons. Systems of this kind can be used to engage various targets on the ground, in the air and in outer space. However, not all types of such weapons, possible theoretically, can be created in practice - not to mention the introduction of the troops. Consider the advances in science and industry in directed energy systems.
Weapon theory
According to the classical definition, a directed energy weapon (DEW) or Directed-energy weapon (DEW) refers to systems that hit a target due to the direct transfer of energy of one kind or another - without the use of conductors, kinetic damaging elements, etc.
GNE is subdivided into several main classes - electromagnetic, beam, acoustic, etc. It also includes some types of kinetic systems based on accelerators. At the level of fantasy and conspiracy theories, the so-called "exists" psychotronic weapon - it is intended for remote impact on the nervous system and psyche of manpower.
It should be noted that these or those studies were carried out in almost all of the above areas. Systems of only certain classes have reached testing or operation, but they are also of great interest.
Laser advances
The most successful at the moment can be considered the direction of electromagnetic ONE in all its manifestations. Various generators of electromagnetic radiation have been developed, tested and are in operation, capable of influencing the target in different ways. First of all, such successes are due to active work in the field of combat lasers - generators of electromagnetic radiation in optical or other ranges.
By now, the leading countries have managed to develop and test a lot of combat lasers for various purposes. Such systems were carried out in the form of hand-held "guns", full-size ground armored vehicles, aircraft complexes, spacecraft, etc. They can be used to engage a wide range of targets, from the human eye and optical devices to ballistic missiles and warheads.
Some laser systems have already entered service. For example, the Peresvet optical suppression systems are being deployed in the Russian army, and the United States is preparing to adopt the SHORAD laser-based short-range air defense system. It is known that in China, combat lasers have become a standard element of the equipment of some tanks; they are used as a means of suppressing optics.
Apparently, the development of laser weapons will continue with new remarkable results. Great hopes are pinned on new air defense and missile defense systems, incl. airborne. The French company DCNS intends to create a warship with laser "artillery" by the middle of the decade. Whether it will be possible to fulfill all these plans, and how soon this will happen, is a big question.
Electromagnetic advancements
A direct analogue of a laser using radiation of other ranges is the so-called. microwave guns. Not so long ago, Raytheon brought to the test a mobile PHASER complex, designed to destroy small-sized air targets. A targeted microwave beam should damage the electronics of the object and render it unusable.
The development of other variants of the GNE based on directional electromagnetic radiation continues. There are some successes, but it is still a long way to go into service.
With certain reservations, electronic warfare systems can be attributed to the class of electromagnetic ONE. Using radio signals of the desired configuration, they suppress the operation of communication and surveillance equipment. Some examples of electronic warfare systems use a beam aimed at the target. In principle, electronic warfare can be considered the most successful direction in the field of electromagnetic weapons. There are many samples of this kind and are in operation, which have repeatedly demonstrated their capabilities.
Electromagnetic bombs are considered to be a promising area - ammunition that damages electronics and communications using a short-term powerful pulse. According to known data, this topic was studied in our country and abroad and even received some positive results. However, there is still no information about the adoption of electromagnetic ammunition for service.
Beam perspective
In theory, the so-called may have a great future. beam systems. They use a directed flow of charged or neutral particles as a damaging factor. Such ONE can be used to combat manpower, equipment, etc. It could find application in the ground forces, in aviation and in space.
In the seventies, the United States was simultaneously developing several beam complexes of various kinds. The army wanted a new air defense system; The Air Force oversaw the development of a space-based missile defense system for the Strategic Defense Initiative program. Several experimental stationary particle accelerators have been developed and built. In 1989, a technology demonstrator satellite was sent into orbit, with the help of which the features of the placement of beam weapons in space.
However, work on the topic soon stopped. This was due to the reduction of military-political risks, the excessive complexity of the concept, and other factors. Other countries, as far as is known, have studied the topic of beam weapons, but did not bring it to the test.
Directional atom
An interesting variant of the ONE, which has several heterogeneous damaging factors at once, can be considered a directional nuclear weapon. This idea provides for the creation of a special atomic warhead that transfers most of the explosion energy in a given direction. The advantages of such weapons over "conventional" nuclear warheads are obvious.
The most famous development of this kind, despite the secrecy, is the American project Casaba Howitzer, on which work began in the fifties. The goal of the project was to create a directed nuclear charge capable of hitting a target with directed electromagnetic radiation and a plasma flow. It is known about the development of some engineering solutions, but the project did not even reach testing. However, materials on the unsuccessful project are still not subject to publication. Perhaps these developments will find application in the future.
Later, the Kasaba developments were proposed to be used in the Excalibur project. He proposed the construction of a nuclear-pumped orbiting X-ray laser. Such a product would be disposable, but could develop extremely high characteristics, sufficient to defeat a variety of targets. However, this time too, the project remained on paper.
Sound as a weapon
It is possible to hit or disable some targets using high-power directional sound waves. Weapons of this kind have been developed for decades, and some samples have already entered service. The existing sound ONE are non-lethal means and, if used correctly, should not cause irreversible damage to the target.
Since 2004Various structures in the United States and other countries use the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) sound system, designed to be installed on any platform, from cars to ships. It emits a loud high-frequency sound in a narrow sector, forcing the person to retreat. LRAD has been repeatedly used in different countries to suppress riots, to combat sea piracy, etc.
Several years ago, the Russian Interior Ministry ordered Whisper acoustic devices. This system is wearable; it uses infrasonic vibrations with high acoustic pressure and negatively affects the target - although it does not cause irreversible damage to it. Information on the use of such funds is not yet available.
Progress and its results
As we can see, progress in the field of armaments does not stop. Perspective systems that were previously present only in works of art are being developed and brought to exploitation. Armed with laser, electromagnetic, acoustic and other versions of ONE / DEW, which previously seemed to be a matter of the distant future. Other systems are still fiction and cannot even reach laboratory tests.
The current successes in the field of ONE are directly related to numerous studies of various kinds and the emergence of a mass of new technologies in all major areas. The improvement of existing technologies and the emergence of new ones expected in the future will have an obvious effect. The existing directed energy weapons will have to be improved, and over time, we should expect the emergence of fundamentally new systems - first of all, those already known at the level of theory.
