Earlier this week Boeing tested its new
generation of missile which, rather than destroying physical targets, flies
over its target and remotely destroys all of the electrical equipment and
signals in the area using high powered radio waves.
Known as the Counter-electronics
High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP), Boeing announced that
the test had been a success.
“This technology marks a new era in
modern-day warfare,” said Keith Coleman, CHAMP programme manager for Boeing
Phantom Works. “In the near future, this technology may be used to render an
enemy’s electronic and data systems useless even before the first troops or
aircraft arrive.”
It was so successful that the missile
even disabled the cameras which were recording the test. In all, seven targets
were hit using CHAMP’s high power microwaves in the one-hour test.
CHAMP represents a new generation of
military kit that will counter the effectiveness of foreign radar systems.
Together with the new AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars that
are coming onto the market, the U.S. looks to be a step ahead when it comes to
radar technology. You can find out more about Raytheon’s progress in developing
its AESA radar in this podcast with
Arnie Victor.
As for the Boeing test, CHAMP programme
manager Coleman concluded: “Today we turned science fiction into science fact.”