India Tests Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) System Capable of Disabling Drones, Missiles, and Aircraft

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a trial of its Mk-II(A) LASER-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system at the National Open-Air Range (NOAR) in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.

• With this achievement, India becomes the fourth country in the world, after the US, China, and Russia, to possess advanced LASER weapon capabilities.

About the Mk-II(A) Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) System

1. Developed By: The system has been indigenously developed by the DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), located in Hyderabad.
2. Working Mechanism:
   1. The Mk-II(A) DEW system detects a target using either radar or an inbuilt Electro Optic (EO) system.
   2. Once a target is identified, it uses a 30-kilowatt high-energy LASER beam to cut through the target, leading to its structural failure.
3. Key Characteristics:
   1. The system is designed for lightning-fast engagement with high precision.
   2. It can deliver lethal effects to a target in just a few seconds.

Significance of the Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) System

1. Revolutionizing Warfare Economics:
   1. DEWs can significantly reduce the dependence on expensive ammunition, offering a more cost-effective solution in modern warfare.
   2. It also lowers the risk of collateral damage, making military operations more precise and targeted.
2. Counter-Electronic Capabilities:
   1. The High-Power Microwave (HPM) weapons integrated within the system can disable electronic systems, radars, and communications without causing physical destruction.
3. Dual Application for Offensive and Defensive Warfare:
   1. The system can be used in a range of military scenarios, including:
      1. Tactical air defense
      2. Anti-ballistic missile defense
      3. Anti-satellite (A-SAT) defense
      4. Low-power lasers can also be employed for crowd control and pirate deterrence.

What Are Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)?

1. Principle: DEWs use concentrated energy derived from electromagnetic or particle technology, rather than traditional kinetic energy, to degrade or destroy targets.
2. Types of Directed Energy Weapons:
   1. High-Energy Lasers (HELs)
   2. High-Power Microwave Weapons (HPMs)
   3. Millimeter-Wave Weapons

Particle Beam Weapons