SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In response to the evolving aerial threat landscape, particularly the growing menace of loitering munitions and subsonic cruise missiles, the Indian Navy is actively planning to integrate Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) into its aircraft carrier operations. This initiative aims to provide a robust defense mechanism against these modern threats, ensuring the safety and operational integrity of India’s naval aviation assets.
Loitering munitions, sometimes referred to as “suicide drones,” and subsonic cruise missiles represent a significant challenge due to their low cost, high maneuverability, and ability to loiter over a target area before striking. These weapons have shifted the dynamics of naval warfare, necessitating innovative defense solutions like DEWs, which offer speed-of-light engagement capabilities, potentially neutralizing threats before they can cause damage.
The Indian Navy envisions that each aircraft carrier might require between 3 to 4 DEW systems to ensure comprehensive 360-degree protection against aerial threats. These systems would need to be strategically placed to cover all angles of approach, from low to high altitudes, ensuring no blind spots for incoming threats.
Recognizing the logistical and operational challenges of deploying multiple DEW systems, the Navy is exploring methods to achieve the same protective coverage with fewer units. This could involve advanced beam steering technologies, more powerful DEWs with broader effective ranges, or integrating DEWs with existing radar and sensor systems for better target acquisition and engagement.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is currently developing two key DEW systems.
- 30 kW DEW: This system has been undergoing trials and is seen as a potential solution for engaging smaller aerial threats, including drones and loitering munitions. Its relatively lower power output is balanced by its potential for rapid deployment and lower energy requirements.
- 100 kW DEW: With a higher power output, this DEW is aimed at tackling more formidable threats like cruise missiles. It represents a step towards heavier-duty applications, offering a higher chance of neutralizing or damaging the sophisticated electronics of incoming missiles.
The Navy’s plan includes not only equipping future aircraft carriers with these DEWs but also retrofitting existing ones. This dual approach underscores the urgency and commitment to enhancing naval defense capabilities.
One of the main challenges is ensuring sufficient power supply to operate multiple high-energy DEWs on a carrier, where space and weight are at a premium. Innovations in energy storage, distribution, and possibly nuclear power could be critical.
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