AOC 2018: Directed energy solutions for high-tech threats

30th November 2018 - 19:08 GMT | by Damian Kemp in Washington, DC

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Directed energy (DE) weapons, such as high-energy lasers (HEL) and high-power microwaves, are possible solutions to higher technology asymmetric threats.

While the latter has been demonstrated and can be fielded, HEL systems are moving towards the same standard although challenges still remain, according to one speaker at the AOC conference in Washington, DC.

The usefulness of kinetic force against swarming UAVs or multi-UAV attacks, as used against a Russian Army base in Syria earlier this year, is debatable but DE weapons provide an alternative method of defence, according to David Stoudt, executive advisor at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Stoudt pointed

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Author

Damian Kemp

Damian Kemp has worked in the defence media for 25 years covering military aircraft, defence …

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