
Drone swarms, cheap loitering munitions, and guided missiles have created a hard economic problem for militaries. Firing a multimillion-dollar interceptor at a drone that costs a few thousand dollars is a losing trade. High-power microwave (HPM) systems are one of the most promising answers.
What is HPM defense?
An HPM system generates a powerful burst of electromagnetic energy in the microwave band and directs it at a target. Instead of destroying the target physically, the energy induces currents in its electronics. Depending on power and range, the effect can range from temporary disruption to permanent damage to sensors, flight controllers, and communication links. The target can lose control, reboot, or fail outright.



