U.S. Air Force schedules tests of laser- and microwave-based directed-energy weapons
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. – The U.S. Air Force announced it is planning future experiments involving laser- and microwave-based directed-energy weapons after recent successes in testing sessions. UPI reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
24 Jan. 2019 -- Future experiments in microwaves and lasers in the Directed Energy Experimentation Campaign are planned at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, the Air Force said Tuesday in a statement. The tests essentially use microwaves or lasers to bring down aerial targets.
The experiments offer better understanding of the capabilities of off-the-shelf high-power microwaves and high-energy lasers, Air Force officials say.
In October, the Air Force contracted with Ball Aerospace & Technologies to provide solid state laser effects and modeling services. Publicly acknowledged tests of laser-style weapons have been conducted at the White Sands Missile Range since at least 2009.
Related: Pentagon wants more money for directed-energy weapons for drone-swarm and missile defense
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John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
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