Aircraft
Airborne Directed Energy Technology Maturing in the U.S.
The technology is ready to weaponize, according to a speaker at the recent Air Force Association Conference.
Groundcrew check the fit of the Boeing Champ high-power microwave (HPM) payload on a B-52 bomber before a test flight of the directed-energy weapon. (Photo: AFRL)
Groundcrew check the fit of the Boeing Champ high-power microwave (HPM) payload on a B-52 bomber before a test flight of the directed-energy weapon. (Photo: AFRL)

The U.S. Air Force is ready to "weaponize" and quickly field directed-energy technology, following two recent successful high-power microwave (HPM) demonstration programs. Progress is also being made with solid-state high-energy lasers (HELs). Directed Energy was one of three “game-changing” technologies discussed by Maj Gen Tom Masiello, the commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), at the recent Air Force Association Conference in Washington, D.C. The others were hypersonics and autonomy.

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