A Directed Energy Weapon fires a beam that transfers energy to a target for a desired effect. Beams of energy include using the electromagnetic spectrum, typically lasers or masers, or particles (particle beam weapons ).

Explaining directed energy

A flashlight directs light in the visible spectrum but it operates at such low power as to be generally harmless, though some searchlights are bright enough to cause permanent or temporary blindness. Directed energy weapons can use different areas of the spectrum to different effects. The term really applies to high-energy lasers, microwave guns, and, to a lesser extent, particle beams. Since particle beams transmit matter as well as energy they are not purely a directed energy beam.

Examples

Some examples of directed energy weapons:

• High-energy lasers (HEL) used in missile defense systems, such as MTHEL.
• A non-lethal weapon that disorients a target by shooting disorienting lighting patterns at the eyes.
• A device that causes nausea and disorientation by illuminating a person with certain frequencies and powers.
• A microwave gun, that fires a narrow spread of microwave radiations capable of destroying electronics.
• Particle-beam weapons including charged and neutral, endoatmospheric and exoatmospheric.
• Plasma weapons which fire a beam or bolt of excited matter (consisting of both electrons and protons or nuclei) such as the MARAUDER (Magnetically Accelerated Ring to Achieve Ultra-high Directed Energy and Radiation) and the fictional (but well-researched and theoretically sound) BH-209 plasma cannon
• Electrolasers designed to transmit an electrical charge remotely

Drawbacks, real-world use

The major drawback of directed weapons is their high power consumption, limited range on lasers especially in inclement weather, and high production cost. Their future use in non-lethal weapon systems seems limited due to the generally perceived cruel nature of victim incapacitation. Some weapons of this type are already in testing for deployment as battlefield anti-missile weapons, such as in THAAD.