What Are Scaled Wave Weapons? …and I can I have one? DeMarco Banter

I recently had an intriguing conversation with a colleague about Futures Literacy and wargaming, particularly focusing on planning for emerging technologies. During the convo, the concept of scaled wave weapons came up, which initially puzzled me—I had no idea. Intrigued, I asked for more details, and he provided a high-level explanation that sparked my curiosity. This led me to delve deeper into the subject, seeking to understand what scaled wave weapons are and their potential impact on future warfare and defense strategies.

Scaled waves, in the context of physics or engineering, typically refer to waves that have been adjusted or modified in some way to either increase or decrease their amplitude, frequency, or other characteristics. Below are a few examples of how waves can be scaled:

• Amplitude Scaling: This involves changing the height or intensity of a wave while keeping its frequency constant. Increasing the amplitude makes the wave taller and more intense, while decreasing it makes the wave shorter and less intense.
• Frequency Scaling: This involves changing the frequency of a wave while keeping its amplitude constant. Increasing the frequency means the wave oscillates more times per unit of time, while decreasing it means fewer oscillations per unit of time.
• Spatial Scaling: This refers to altering the physical dimensions of a wave. For example, in electromagnetic waves, such as light, scaling can involve changing the wavelength. Longer wavelengths mean lower frequency, while shorter wavelengths mean higher frequency.
• Time Scaling: This involves changing the duration of a wave or the time it takes to complete one oscillation. Time scaling can be used to speed up or slow down waveforms.

The specific meaning of “scaled waves” varies depending on the context in which it is used, so it’s important to consider the particular field or application to understand how waves are being scaled and why.

WEAPONIZATION

In some contexts, scaled waves or waveforms could potentially be weaponized, but this would depend on the specific technology and application involved. The term “weaponized” typically refers to the adaptation of a technology or method for use as a weapon, which can have both civilian and military applications. Here are a few examples where scaled waves might be considered for such purposes:

• Electromagnetic Weapons: In military applications, certain electromagnetic waveforms, such as microwave or radio frequency emissions, can be used for electronic warfare or anti-electronics purposes. For example, high-power microwave (HPM) weapons can emit electromagnetic waves to disrupt or damage electronic systems and infrastructure.
• Acoustic Weapons: Acoustic waves can also be scaled and manipulated for non-lethal crowd control purposes or for disabling enemy personnel and equipment. High-intensity sound waves, also known as sonic or acoustic weapons, can be used to deter or incapacitate individuals.
• Directed Energy Weapons: These weapons systems often involve the manipulation of energy waves, including lasers and high-energy radio-frequency (HERF) devices, to target and damage or disrupt enemy assets.

It’s essential to note that the development and deployment of weaponized technology are subject to legal and ethical considerations, as well as international agreements and treaties. Of course, the use of any technology for military or harmful purposes is regulated and controlled by national and international laws.

ELECTROMAGNETIC WEAPONS

The latest developments in electromagnetic weapons, particularly in the context of the U.S. military, reveal significant advancements in this field.

Raytheon has secured a $31.3 million contract to develop two high-power microwave antenna systems for the U.S. military. These systems, part of the Directed Energy Front-line Electromagnetic Neutralization and Defeat (DEFEND) program, are designed to use directed energy to neutralize airborne threats at the speed of light. They will be rugged and transportable for frontline deployment. This initiative is in partnership with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and various defense research agencies. The prototypes are expected to be delivered in fiscal years 2024 and 2026​​​​.

In addition, the U.S. Navy is ramping up its research into electromagnetic weapons and high-power lasers for ship defense. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is focusing on the design, prototyping, and evaluation of electromagnetic warfare technologies, including ultra-short-pulse and high-energy laser weapons, to protect surface warships from various threats like missiles and unmanned aircraft. High-power microwave technologies that have been developed require further design and development, with contractors providing expertise in system analysis, prototype development, testing, and more​​.

The U.S. Air Force is also exploring the use of ground- or aircraft-based electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) generation to counter formations of enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These EMP solutions could be effective against various sizes of military UAVs and involve ground or aerial-based systems that are reusable and resistant to environmental challenges​​.

Furthermore, the development of high energy laser and integrated optical-dazzler and surveillance systems is gaining momentum. For example, Lockheed Martin’s 60-kilowatt HELIOS system was tested on the destroyer USS Preble. These directed-energy weapons convert chemical or electrical energy into radiated energy, focusing on targets for physical damage. There’s an emphasis on miniaturization and adaptability of these systems for integration into various platforms​​.

These advancements highlight a significant shift towards integrating electromagnetic and directed-energy technologies into modern military strategy and operations, indicating a growing trend in non-kinetic defense systems.

ACOUSTIC WEAPONS

Acoustic weapons, also known as sonic weapons, have seen considerable development and use in recent years. These weapons utilize sound to cause harm or discomfort, often for crowd control or military purposes.

One prominent example of acoustic weapons is the Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD). It’s a powerful sonic weapon and communication device that emits focused, high-intensity sound waves over long distances. 

Originally developed for maritime use, LRADs have been adopted by law enforcement agencies and military forces worldwide. They are capable of producing sound at extremely high volumes (up to 162 decibels), which can be painful and disorienting. The LRAD is highly directional, allowing its operators to target specific areas or individuals while minimizing sound dispersion to surrounding areas​​​​​​.

Another significant aspect of acoustic weaponry is the use of infrasound – frequencies below human hearing. Infrasound can cause various physical effects such as nausea, disorientation, and even breathing difficulties at certain intensities. The use of infrasound in weapons is still under investigation, but it’s believed that such weapons could deliver very low-frequency sounds that might not be audible but could still cause harm​​​​.

The health impacts of acoustic weapons are a serious concern. Loud and painful noise levels from devices like LRADs can lead to significant harm to the ears, potentially causing hearing loss. There is a lack of extensive medical literature on the specific health effects of acoustic weapons, but case reports indicate potential for hearing loss, ear pain, and prolonged ringing in the ears following exposure to these weapons​​.

Additionally, acoustic weapons have been used in various contexts beyond crowd control. For instance, the Israeli military used sound bombs in 2005, creating sonic booms by breaking the sound barrier at low altitudes. These attacks were intended to deter support for armed groups but resulted in significant collateral effects, including miscarriages and heart problems​​.

The development and use of acoustic weapons continue to provoke discussions on ethical considerations, underscoring the need for comprehensive research and understanding of their effects, both immediate and long-term​​​​.

DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS

The field of directed energy weapons (DEWs) is advancing rapidly, with significant developments and research focused on enhancing their practical applications and overcoming current limitations.

The Department of Defense (DOD) spends around $1 billion annually on developing DEWs, which include high-energy lasers and high-power microwaves. These weapons have been successfully used in live fire demonstrations to shoot down drones and are being developed to counter bigger threats like missiles. However, transitioning these technologies from prototypes to operational deployment remains a challenge, with issues like technological maturity and alignment with operational needs being key concerns. The Army, for instance, has developed a detailed transition plan, but the Navy and Air Force still need to establish documented transition agreements for their directed energy programs​​​​.

Recent demonstrations highlight the practical applications of these technologies. For instance, Lockheed Martin’s Mobile Radio Frequency-Integrated UAS Suppressor (MORFIUS) is a drone that emits high-power microwave pulses to neutralize threats. The Air Force has also tested its Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR), which effectively disabled drones with high-power microwave pulses. Additionally, the Navy has successfully tested high-energy lasers aboard ships like the USS Portland, showcasing their capability to disable small drones and boats​​.

A key focus in the development of DEWs is reducing their size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaP-C) requirements to make them more viable for operational deployment. This includes the development of fiber lasers and electromagnetic and high-energy weapons, which are expected to play a more significant role in the DOD arsenal. The primary use case currently is countering Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with systems like Epirus’ Leonidas and the SPEAR (Specialized Portable Electromagnetic Attack Radiator) system, which provide counter-electronics effects against UAS targets​​.

Directed energy weapons are transitioning from theoretical concepts to practical military applications. However, challenges in technology transition, system size, and power requirements persist. The potential of these weapons in modern warfare is significant, and ongoing research and development aim to address these challenges, paving the way for broader operational deployment in the near future.

IN THE END

As research and development in scaled wave weapons continue to advance, it’s clear that this technology holds significant potential for the future of defense and warfare. The implications of these sophisticated weapon systems are profound, promising to reshape strategic military approaches and battlefield tactics. Keeping an eye on these developments is crucial, as the evolution of scaled wave weapons could redefine the landscape of military technology and strategy in the years to come.