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Counter-Directed Energy Weapons: Defense of Air Assets

The global proliferation of directed energy weapon technology presents a new threat for the United States as competitors try to capitalize on the technology's relative high potential of mission success and low operational costs.

High-energy laser (HEL) weapons are receiving increasing interest from armed forces around the globe. Technology has reached a point where HEL weapons are being exploited by peer competitor nations due to the higher potential of mission success and lower operational cost when compared to traditional weapons.

China’s Guorong anti-drone system is a shortrange ground-to-air laser weapon system.

The use of these weapons will affect our naval tactics and necessitate new solutions to manage the threat. U.S. naval tactics use forward-deployed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), putting them in close proximity to adversaries. This makes naval UAVs more susceptible to being targeted and damaged by HELs. Once HEL weapons are integrated into the littoral and maritime environments, U.S. naval assets must be capable of protecting themselves against such threats.

This research focused on characterizing future adversarial-directed energy weapon (DEW) threat environments and evaluating solution concepts for countering, evading, and neutralizing the threat. In particular, this study focused on HEL weapon systems as the directed energy threat and their effects on naval UAVs. The results of the research provide an understanding of projected UAV susceptibility to future HEL threats and identified countermeasure, or counter-directed energy weapon (CDEW), concepts that can be applied to protect naval UAV assets.

HEL weapon systems focus a beam of electromagnetic radiation onto a small spot to burn through the target material and render a target incapable of accomplishing its mission. Directed energy weapons (DEWs) have been under development since the 1960s, but recent developments indicate that they will soon be fielded in combat operations. A HEL’s ability to precisely deliver energy at the speed-of-light targeting, low per-engagement cost, and “unlimited” magazine (limited only by the power available) make it a desirable weapon. Unclassified new reports have indicated that countries such as China and Russia have been demonstrating this weapon technology operationally; therefore, the U.S. must be prepared for such threats.

The research began by characterizing the DEW threat environment, which included studying the limitations and strengths of HEL systems. The HEL requires a finite amount of time, referred to as dwell time, to achieve a hard or soft kill on the target. A “hard kill” refers to structurally damaging the UAV whereas a “soft kill” may disrupt the function but not permanently damage the target. The length of the required dwell time can be impacted by the output power of the HEL, the distance to the target, the line-of-sight requirements, the atmospheric conditions, and the material of the target.

The atmosphere itself poses significant limitations for HEL weapons. Limitations include the effects of molecular and aerosol absorption and scattering of the laser beam. Turbulence, which is due to air cells of varying temperature and density along the beam that can act as tiny “lenses,” limits the effect of HEL by causing the beam to break apart or wander. Thermal blooming, which is due to heating of air in a column along the beam, can also limit HEL by defocusing the beam. Atmospheric effects also include scattering due to smoke particles, which could be used in expendables to exploit in the counter-measure solution. Other factors affecting HEL lethality are the thickness, thermodynamic properties, and reflectivity of the target material. All of these target characteristics will affect the required HEL dwell time needed for a soft-kill or hard-kill. A general rule for a hard-kill is on the order of five to ten seconds per target.

Naval UAVs were evaluated in terms of their vulnerabilities in a HEL threat environment based on their type and assigned missions. Possible destructive effects were considered, and component-based evaluation was performed to determine which UAV components would have the highest probability of being targeted and the type of damage that would be inflicted. The team identified four specific UAVs as use-cases for countermeasure concepts based on the potential to operate in a DEW environment, the general operating altitude, the maneuverability, the missions employed, the general operational conditions, and the aircraft material. The four UAVs that were identified as use cases were the MQ-4C “Triton,” the X47B “Pegasus,” the MQ-8C “Fire Scout,” and the STUAS “ScanEagle” aircraft.

Information gathered on HEL weapons and UAVs as targets was used to develop CDEW solution concepts. The CDEW solution concepts depended on the operational environment; atmospheric conditions; the size weight and power (SWaP) of the UAVs; and the UAV missions that dictated operational altitudes, maneuvers, and proximity to HEL threats.

This work was done by James A. Ansley Jr., Kyle Buffin, Victoria E. Couture, Eranga A. Gonaduwage, Stephen A. Hakimipour, and Lisa Nguyen for the Naval Postgraduate School. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper) below. NPS-0019

Topics:
Aerospace Defense industry Directed Energy Weapons, Detection, and Targeting Lasers Lasers & Laser Systems Military vehicles and equipment Munitions Optics Photonics Research and development Threat Location, Targeting, & Surveillance Unmanned Air Vehicles/Systems (UAV/UAS) Vehicles
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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Counter-Directed Energy Weapons: Defense of Air Assets

(reference NPS-0019) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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    Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine

    This article first appeared in the September, 2021 issue of Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine.

    Read more articles from this issue here.

    Read more articles from the archives here.

    Overview

    The document is a Systems Engineering Capstone Report titled "Counter-Directed Energy Weapons: Defense of Air Assets," authored by James A. Ansley Jr., Kyle Buffin, Victoria E. Couture, Eranga A. Gonaduwage, Stephen A. Hakimipour, and Lisa Nguyen, and published by the Naval Postgraduate School in March 2020.

    The report addresses the growing threat posed by directed energy weapons (DEWs) to air assets, particularly in military contexts. As DEWs become more prevalent, understanding their capabilities and developing effective countermeasures is crucial for maintaining air superiority and ensuring the safety of aerial operations.

    The authors explore various types of directed energy weapons, including lasers and high-power microwave systems, detailing their operational principles and potential applications in combat scenarios. The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive defense strategy that incorporates systems engineering principles to mitigate the risks associated with these advanced technologies.

    Key sections of the report likely include an analysis of current DEW technologies, their effectiveness against traditional air defense systems, and the implications for military strategy. The authors may also discuss the integration of countermeasures into existing defense frameworks, highlighting the importance of adaptability and innovation in response to evolving threats.

    Additionally, the report likely outlines recommendations for future research and development efforts aimed at enhancing the resilience of air assets against DEWs. This may involve collaboration between military and civilian sectors, investment in new technologies, and the establishment of training programs to prepare personnel for the challenges posed by directed energy threats.

    Overall, the report serves as a critical resource for military planners, engineers, and policymakers, providing insights into the intersection of technology and defense strategy in the context of modern warfare. It underscores the necessity of proactive measures to safeguard air assets in an era where directed energy weapons are becoming increasingly sophisticated and accessible.

    In summary, this Capstone Report is a vital contribution to the discourse on military defense strategies, emphasizing the importance of understanding and countering the threats posed by directed energy weapons to ensure the effectiveness and safety of air operations.

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