U.S. Military Advances High-Powered Microwave Weapons for Anti-Drone Operations
The U.S. military is actively developing and deploying High-Powered Microwave (HPM) weapons as a primary countermeasure against the growing threat of drone swarms. These HPM systems are designed to disable or destroy drone electronics by emitting concentrated beams of electromagnetic energy. The U.S. Army is deploying the Leonidas HPM system, developed by Epirus, which made its field debut during the Balikatan joint exercises in the Philippines. The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has successfully tested the Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR), another land-based HPM anti-drone system. Additionally, the U.S. Navy plans to deploy its own HPM system, developed under its METEOR project, capable of neutralizing drones and electronically guided anti-ship missiles. The U.S. also fields missile-borne HPM weapons, such as the High Power Joint Electromagnetic Non-Kinetic Strike (HIJENKS) system, for offensive strikes deep in enemy territory.
