In the United States, work continues on the development of "directed energy" weapons systems. One of the main directions is the development of systems that hit the target with directed microwave radiation. Raytheon's PHASER project has already reached a new stage: in the near future it is planned to build another prototype for military tests.
First deployment
On September 23, the Pentagon released data on the latest agreements and contracts. According to this message, Raytheon Missile Systems has received an order for the construction of a new prototype of the PHASER complex. Delivery of the product is expected in the next few months. The prototype and its operation will cost $ 16, 29 million. The entire amount was allocated at once, when the order appeared.
According to the plans of the military department, the new prototype will be deployed by the end of next year as part of experimental military operation. Deployment is planned for OCONUS - outside the continental United States. At the same time, the Pentagon has not yet specified exactly where the new equipment will be used. Site preparation and PHASER deployment will take some time.
Military testing of the product is entrusted to the US Air Force. The events will take about 12 months and will end at the end of 2020. At the same time, it is possible to extend the dates. It is planned to evaluate the features of the operation and maintenance of equipment, to re-check its combat capabilities, etc. Based on the results of all these checks, the Pentagon will draw conclusions and make a final decision about the future of the PHASER system.
In the absence of serious problems and difficulties, the PHASER complex will be able to enter service and go into mass production. The contract for the production of equipment will appear no earlier than the beginning of the 2021 calendar year. It is possible to shift the dates to the right.
Weapons not from fantasy novels
Work on the PHASER product has been going on for the past several years. In 2016, Raytheon disclosed the progress of the tests. By this time, the prototype of the complex managed to enter the range and show its capabilities in the fight against small-sized air targets.
The PHASER complex is a representative of the promising direction of "directed energy weapons". Its principle of operation is to generate and emit high-power directed microwave electromagnetic radiation. Such a "beam" should negatively affect the target's electronic systems and, at least, impede its activity. Destruction of the target is also possible due to fatal damage to the electronics.
The Raytheon product was named after the phasers - weapons from the fantastic Star Trek franchise. At the same time, the real technique and samples from the cinema do not have any external similarity, and they also use different principles of work.
The real "Phaser" is made on the basis of a standard cargo container, inside and outside of which the necessary systems are installed. The operator's workplace is organized in the same container. Most of the devices are placed inside the container. On its roof there is a swivel base with two characteristic devices. The devices can be folded for transport.
The emitter of the PHASER complex consists of an antenna and a controlled reflecting mirror. The first is made in the form of a rectangular canvas installed at an angle. The working surface is directed inward, in the direction of the mirror. The mirror is made in the form of a disk with guidance drives in two planes. Its movement relative to the emitter provides guidance of the microwave beam in two planes. Coarse aiming is carried out by turning the entire structure.
The PHASER complex receives target designation from third-party sources through the existing means of communication and control. With their help, the calculation of data for the guidance of the microwave "weapon" with the subsequent "firing" is carried out. Own means of detection and target designation are not yet available.
The parameters of the emitter were not published. Power, energy consumption, beam parameters, etc. remain unknown. Also, the characteristics of the range of impact on targets are not disclosed. It is known that the "Phaser" emitter has two modes. The first is distinguished by a lower radiation power and is designed to seriously disrupt the operation of the target. The second mode provides for a short-term activation of the emitter at a higher power, destroying the electronics and capable of damaging the structural elements of the target.
The main target for the PHASER complex is considered to be unmanned aerial vehicles of all classes. By obstructing or destroying UAVs, it is proposed to organize air defense zones. It is possible to use a microwave emitter for manned aircraft or ground targets. In all cases, the radiation must have a negative effect on unprotected electronic systems.
"Phaser" at the test site
In 2016, Raytheon and the customer, the Pentagon, began testing a new type of prototype equipment in a full combat configuration. We managed to get the desired results fairly quickly. So, even at the stage of factory tests, the PHASER complex hit 33 UAVs of various types, with some targets flying in pairs and triplets.
During the tests, all the main possibilities were confirmed. The complex showed the possibility of countering UAVs or destroying them. They also demonstrated the relative simplicity of its operation and the low cost of combat use. The duration and intensity of the "shooting" actually depend only on the available power supply systems.
In the near future, the Pentagon wants to receive a new prototype PHASER for deployment at one of the remote bases. With its help, the personnel will master new technologies. It is also planned to strengthen the protection of this base from the typical threats of the present time. By early 2021, the Air Force will gain the necessary experience and be able to draw conclusions.
In parallel with these events, the development of the existing project will continue. New versions of the PHASER product should be smaller, consume less energy, etc. It is planned to create more convenient and flexible products on the basis of the existing sample.
Microwaves in service
The PHASER complex in its current form is proposed as a promising air defense system adapted to combat current threats. He must attack small drones and disable them in one way or another. As such, "Phaser" is of great interest to the army, and not only to the American one.
The microwave "weapon" compares favorably with traditional air defense systems in terms of the ratio of efficiency and cost of combat work. Unlike anti-aircraft missile systems, PHASER consumes only electricity and does not need expensive ammunition. It should be noted that other weapons based on new principles, such as combat lasers, have the same advantages.
The directional combat microwave emitter optimally consumes energy, sending it directly to the target. At the same time, the task of disabling electronics does not always require high energy consumption - which further reduces operating costs.
Reytheon plans to reduce the dimensions of the PHASER product. Thus, in the future, compact and mobile air defense systems with the required capabilities may appear. At the same time, the current configuration of the "Phaser" based on the container is suitable for transfer.
Naturally, the proposed system has disadvantages. The main one is the risks associated with the novelty and technical courage of the project. The tests are being carried out with some success, but it takes time and effort to eradicate all the flaws. It is quite possible that the PHASER complex will return from military trials with a new list of recommendations for revision.
The used method of influencing the target may not be universal and may limit the combat capabilities of the equipment. In particular, there is reason to believe that PHASER can fight far from all modern UAVs. The most advanced devices can be protected from microwave radiation, sufficient to break through air defense. The same applies to manned aircraft or ground vehicles. In terms of versatility, the PHASER product can be inferior to other anti-aircraft systems.
Nevertheless, during the tests, the prototype of the Raytheon PHASER complex successfully coped with the task of intercepting UAVs, incl. with group raids. After checking at the test site, the new sample should go into experimental military operation. Already in 2020-2021. it will become clear what the further fate of the most interesting project will be.
