84 - Directed-Energy Weapons

Abstract

A directed-energy weapon (DEW) emits energy in an aimed direction without the means of a projectile. A DEW transfers the energy to a target for the desired effect. Most DEWs rely on electromagnetic waves or subatomic particles that impact at or near the speed of light. The energy can be delivered in various forms: Electromagnetic radiation (e.g., radio frequency devices, microwave devices), light radiation (lasers, microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation [MASER]), particles with mass (e.g., particle beam weapons), and sound (e.g., sonic weapons). They hit a target at the speed of light (at the speed of sound for auditory weapons), they are line-of-sight weapons, the price of use is typically a fraction of what it costs to fire a missile or a large gun, they can fire multiple times without reloading, and they are able to engage different targets rapidly because of their instantaneous effects and the ease of reaiming them.