In the laboratories and at the test sites, the testing of new Russian electromagnetic weapons is continuing. The general director of the "Radioelectronic Technologies" concern Vladimir Mikheev informed the journalists of the TASS agency. At the same time, testing of protection systems against their impact is being conducted. He added that the so-called microwave guns are no longer fantasy, but a real and very effective type of weapon.
It can be added that many countries of the world are engaged in development in this area. It is very likely that in the coming years, a real electromagnetic arms race will begin.
What is a microwave gun and what is it for?
Electromagnetic is called a weapon that uses ultra high frequency radiation to hit targets. His second name is the microwave gun. As a rule, such products are used to defeat the enemy's electronics: homing missiles, radar stations, communication systems. Moreover, depending on the power and design of the microwave gun, the effect can be different: from simple "blinding" to the physical destruction of the element base.
True, there is one problem: too powerful electromagnetic radiation can kill a person, therefore, microwave guns are likely to be placed on automated systems, such as land drones or UAVs. There are already plans to equip the unmanned version of the sixth generation perspective fighter with electromagnetic weapons.
It can be added that the military have long dreamed of getting such means of destruction, but before that the only powerful source of electromagnetic impulse was only the detonation of a nuclear weapon. EI is unable to spread over a large area, it decays very quickly.
There is another way to use electromagnetic radiation against the enemy's electronics. At present, tests are being conducted on microwave bombs (the Alabuga project). It is planned that such ammunition will be undermined at an altitude of 200-300 meters, disabling all enemy electronic equipment within a radius of 3.5 km, including communication systems.
The chief editor of the Arsenal of the Fatherland edition, Viktor Murakhovsky, in a recent interview, stated that electromagnetic weapons - including microwave guns - have long been used by the Russian army. He added that this area was considered a priority and was actively developing in Soviet times. At the moment, the achievements of past years are simply being upgraded using new materials and components. However, according to him, previously similar systems were not used in real conflicts.
"We already have such ammunition, starting from a shot for a grenade launcher, ending with combat units of anti-aircraft missiles. Now such electromagnetic generators are simply being improved using new materials, with an increased yield of electromagnetic radiation. In conflicts, this was not used. There were tests, after which weapons ", - said the expert.
It can be added that developments in the field of electromagnetic technologies are conducted not only in Russia. Not so long ago, the Americans announced the creation of cruise missiles capable of destroying enemy electronics without harm to people and material objects. This weapon was obtained during the implementation of the project CHAMP.
To defeat the enemy's electronic systems, the latest JASSM cruise missile is used, which is equipped with a powerful electromagnetic gun. It can cause significant voltage drops in electrical networks, disabling the devices and systems connected to them. American experts believe that in the coming years, a new electromagnetic arms race is likely to start, due to the increasing role of various electronic systems in human life.
