High Power Microwaves (HPM) weapons create beams of electromagnetic energy over a broad spectrum of radio and microwave frequencies in both narrow-band (bandwidth ~< 1%) and wide-band (bandwidth >> 1%) with the intent of coupling/interacting with electronics within targeted systems either by causing damage or temporary disruption from which the system cannot self-recover in time to accomplish its mission. Directed energy HPM provides the U.S. Navy many benefits including speed of light attack and deep magazines. HPM systems use broad beams for wide area coverage, enabling comparatively simple targeting of multiple electronic systems simultaneously. These HPM solutions represent revolutionized options for integrated and layered terminal defense.
Present focus areas are twofold. First is to explore technologies, including effects mechanisms, to enable engagement of targets at higher frequencies (X through K bands) and, thus, greater directivity. Second is the reduction of required power on target through the exploration of novel HPM systems that provide rapid on-demand shot-to-shot waveform parameter adjustability. Enabling areas of research might include development of small sources with sufficient control over the waveform such that they can be arrayed. They might also include high power amplifiers and higher frequency variants of existing concepts, both beam driven and solid state. To achieve higher peak power levels, pursuing pulse compression or arrayed system technologies is encouraged as previous iterations of vacuum-based systems have seen minimal increases in peak power radiation. Research into these areas is encouraged, as well as the development of phase control capability.
Additional research focus areas should include research into the coupling of high power RF to, its interaction with, and its effects upon electronic systems. The goal of this is to enable the development of predictive effects tools. It should also include the use of waveform parameter adjustability with the goal of maximizing effects on electronics. Finally, developments of any sort that lead to significant (> factor of 2) improvements in size, weight, power and cost of existing systems will be considered.
Research Challenges and Opportunities
Exploration of the capabilities and limitations of conventional HPM beam driven sources to optimize output power at X band through K band including not only consideration of HPM sources (vacuum-based and potentially novel solid state), but also the supporting pulsed power, antennas and other subsystems
Investigation of pulsed compression sources for maximizing peak power output
Solid state HPM sources that provide shot-to-shot waveform parameter adjustability (bandwidth, frequency, pulse width, envelope, etc.) from L band through K band that are able to rapidly adjust not only to rapidly changing assessment of target vulnerabilities, but also to real-time sensing of optimal coupling paths
Computer simulation and modeling codes to enable the next generation of HPM sources and amplifiers, both beam driven and solid state. Focus of this code development will be on modeling of bulk materials and material interfaces subjected to high power densities and plasma interactions
Theory and analysis of HPM effects that merges approaches to assess efficient coupling with an understanding of the various mechanisms by which coupled RF energy can have an effect on target systems of interest. This could include RF coupling and modeling tools to capture both complex EM wave interactions with electronics and associated enclosures, and electronic component disruption
Novel antenna array concepts, high power beam steering techniques and distributed beam forming approaches
Novel HPM sensors, instrumentation and algorithms are of interest for:
Experimental validation of coupling, interactions and effects
Measurement of waveforms
Diagnosing system performance
Electronic battle damage indication (eBDI)
Surrogate system electronics test capabilities
For More Information
Review the DEW HPM Annual Reports:
How to Submit
For detailed application and submission information for this research topic, please refer to our broad agency announcement (BAA) No. N0001425SB001.
Contracts: All white papers and full proposals for contracts must be submitted through the ONR Submission Portal; instructions are included in the BAA.
Grants: All white papers for grants must be submitted through the ONR Submission Portal, and full proposals for grants must be submitted through grants.gov; instructions are included in the BAA.