Unmanned F-35 variant and other UCAVs could be armed with high-power systems
Lockheed Martin is exploring a directed high-power microwave (HPM) weapon for a proposed unmanned variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and as the main armament for other unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAV).
Lockheed Martin is also examining the potential for equipping cruise missiles with HPM weapons as a "door opener" for strikes against heavily defended targets.
The HPM weapon is being studied in parallel to high-energy lasers for the JSF. Lockheed Martin says it does not expect HPM weapons to be fitted to manned platforms because of electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems.
Neil Kacena, deputy head of Lockheed Martin advanced development programmes, says studies are under way into "new capabilities being brought on by high power microwaves and its delivery to the environment".
The cruise-missile HPM would disable air defence radars and cripple electronic systems in ground-based air defence and command and control systems, and disable systems such as the electronic ignition systems in ground vehicles.
The concept has parallels to long-standing development work on conventionally powered electromagnetic pulse bombs, but uses onboard arrays to direct energy against a target.
Kacena says an unmanned JSF variant could cost 80% of the manned version. "The focus is on commonality to the existing aircraft," he says. He adds that HPM weapons may require a substantial rethink of the aircraft design as there are known difficulties with HPM and EMI.
Source: Flight International
