Directed Energy Weapons: Dissecting Effects and Potential Use

This study investigates the impact of High-Power Microwave (HPM) pulses on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and consumer electronics, addressing the growing need for effective countermeasures against electronic threats in defence and security. HPM technology, which disrupts electronic systems through powerful electromagnetic pulses, offers a promising solution. This paper examines the failure thresholds and damage characteristics (soft-kill and hard-kill) of various devices under controlled HPM exposure. Experimental measurements were conducted in a reverberation chamber, at a sea-based research station, and on a land-based testing range to provide a comprehensive understanding of HPM effects across different environments reflecting the actual operating conditions.