SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to take a significant step forward in its pursuit of advanced defence technologies by planning the development of an airborne Mega Watt (MW)-grade Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) soon.
According to DRDO officials, the organization has completed work on 2 kW and 5 kW DEW systems, which are likely intended for smaller-scale applications such as counter-drone or counter-UAV roles. Work on more powerful 25-50 kW systems is nearing completion, aimed at addressing larger threats like rockets or artillery shells. Additionally, DRDO is actively developing 100 kW and 300 kW DEW systems for naval warships and land-based applications, which could target aircraft, missiles, or ground assets with greater effectiveness.
The proposed airborne MW-grade DEW represents a quantum leap in power output, moving into the megawatt range—an order of magnitude higher than the systems currently under development. While DRDO has not officially specified the range of this system, technical estimates suggest it could exceed 500 km, offering a wide engagement envelope for missile defence operations.
The primary objective of the airborne MW-grade DEW is to test its feasibility as a missile defence system, with a focus on neutralizing tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs). TBMs, which include short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, pose a significant threat to India’s strategic environment, particularly given the missile arsenals of neighbouring adversaries.
Mounting such a powerful DEW on a transport aircraft offers several strategic advantages. First, it provides mobility, allowing the system to be deployed rapidly to hotspots or areas under missile threat. Second, operating from high altitudes increases the line-of-sight range, enabling engagements at extended distances—potentially over 500 km, as estimated. Third, an airborne platform can complement ground-based missile defence systems like the Indigenous Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program, creating a multi-layered defence architecture.
The choice of a transport aircraft as the platform—potentially an Il-76, C-130J, or future indigenous transport aircraft—suggests DRDO is aiming for a system that can integrate with existing IAF assets while providing sufficient power generation and space for the DEW’s hardware. However, this also introduces challenges, such as the need for compact, high-efficiency power systems and cooling mechanisms to manage the immense energy demands of an MW-grade weapon.
DRDO officials have indicated that the MW-grade program will mature only after the completion of the 300 kW DEW, suggesting a phased approach to development. This timeline ensures that foundational technologies, such as high-energy laser generation, adaptive optics for beam correction, and power supply miniaturization, are sufficiently advanced before tackling the complexities of an airborne megawatt system.
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