Within Collateral Risk
Can friendly gear survive a microwave drone shot?
The same coupling paths that disrupt drones can also reach friendly radios, sensors, cables, and vehicle electronics if they are too close or poorly protected.
On this page
- How cables, antennas, and circuits become entry points
- Temporary interference versus permanent equipment damage
- Why mixed military equipment creates uneven vulnerability
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Introduction
High-power microwave (HPM) counter-drone systems are designed to inject electromagnetic energy into a target’s electronics. The difficulty is that the same physical pathways that allow energy to reach a drone can also exist in nearby friendly equipment. Radios, radar sensors, vehicle electronics, data links, cameras, and command systems all contain antennas, cables, circuit boards, and semiconductor components that can unintentionally collect microwave energy. As a result, a microwave engagement can affect friendly systems that are not being targeted if they are close enough, insufficiently protected, or connected through vulnerable pathways. onr.navy.mil+2Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance [onr.navy.mil]onr.navy.milDirected Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesNavy DEWs include systems that use high-energy lasers (HEL) that emit photons and high-powe…
For operators of directed-energy systems, this creates a practical challenge. A successful anti-drone shot may occur in an environment crowded with friendly communications equipment, sensors, and networked electronics. Whether those systems continue operating depends less on whether they are “military grade” and more on how microwave energy couples into their hardware and how well they have been hardened against electromagnetic effects. [sto.nato.int+2waru.edu]sto.nato.intOpen source on nato.int.
How cables, antennas, and circuits become entry points
Microwave energy does not need to strike a microchip directly to cause problems. Instead, it typically enters through conductive structures that act as receivers. Antennas are the most obvious example. A radio antenna is intentionally designed to capture electromagnetic energy, which makes it a natural entry path during a microwave engagement. Energy collected by the antenna can travel into receivers, amplifiers, processors, and power-management circuits. [Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance+2DSIAC]jedonline.comJournal of Electromagnetic DominanceHigh-Power Microwave Systems – Getting (Much…24 Jan 2023 — In this article, we're going to look at…
The same principle applies to cables and wiring harnesses. Long electrical conductors can behave like unintended antennas, collecting energy from the surrounding electromagnetic field and carrying it deeper into equipment. Vehicle wiring, sensor cables, Ethernet connections, power lines, and communication links can therefore become coupling paths even when the protected device itself is enclosed. Military electromagnetic-effects standards devote considerable attention to cable routing, shielding, filtering, and grounding because these pathways often determine survivability. [waru.edu+2s3vi.ndc.nasa.gov]waru.eduweapon) capable of emitting high power or high energy densities.Read more…
Circuit boards also contain conductive traces that can pick up induced voltages. Modern electronics rely on highly integrated semiconductor components operating at low voltages and high speeds. A transient pulse that is insignificant to older equipment may be sufficient to upset digital logic, corrupt memory, trigger protective shutdowns, or damage sensitive interfaces. [DSIAC+2publicationsdrdo.in]dsiac.dtic.milDSIACSurvivability Against High-Power, Radio FrequencyThese electronic devices are known to be potentially vulnerable to high-power electromagnetic sources and environments, such as thos…
A useful way to think about the problem is that every antenna, cable, connector, and aperture represents a potential doorway. The amount of energy that enters depends on frequency, orientation, shielding quality, distance from the source, and the geometry of the equipment. Two radios sitting side by side can therefore experience very different outcomes during the same microwave event. [DSIAC+2sto.nato.int]dsiac.dtic.milDSIACHigh-Power Microwave Directed Energy Weapons2 Nov 2019 — The target interaction module includes the RF coupling to the electronics and failure level of the electronics. If the…
Temporary interference versus permanent equipment damage
Not every microwave-induced failure means equipment has been destroyed. In many cases, the first effect is a temporary upset rather than irreversible damage. A radio may lose synchronisation, a sensor processor may reboot, or a communication link may drop packets and recover moments later. These effects occur when induced signals interfere with normal electronic operation but do not exceed the hardware’s physical limits. [Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance]jedonline.comJournal of Electromagnetic DominanceHigh-Power Microwave Systems – Getting (Much…24 Jan 2023 — In this article, we're going to look at…
More severe exposures can produce permanent failures. If induced voltages or currents exceed component tolerances, semiconductor junctions can break down, protective circuits can fail, and power-management components can be damaged. The result may be a sensor that no longer functions, a receiver with degraded sensitivity, or electronics that require repair or replacement. [DSIAC+2DSIAC]dsiac.dtic.milDSIACHigh-Power Microwave Directed Energy Weapons2 Nov 2019 — The target interaction module includes the RF coupling to the electronics and failure level of the electronics. If the…
Between these extremes lies a broad grey area. Equipment may appear healthy immediately after exposure yet suffer latent degradation. Components stressed beyond their intended limits can continue operating while experiencing reduced reliability. This uncertainty is one reason military survivability testing evaluates both immediate effects and longer-term equipment performance after exposure to high-power electromagnetic environments. [s3vi.ndc.nasa.gov+2OSTI]s3vi.ndc.nasa.govMI L-STD-464CMIL-STD-464C - S3VI1 Oct 2010 — This standard contains two sections, the main body and an appendix. The main body of the standard specifi…
For commanders, temporary interference can sometimes be as operationally significant as permanent damage. A communication blackout lasting only seconds may disrupt coordination during a drone attack, while a radar reset at the wrong moment can create a critical gap in situational awareness. [sto.nato.int]sto.nato.intOpen source on nato.int.
Why mixed military equipment creates uneven vulnerability
A common misconception is that military equipment is automatically immune to microwave effects. In reality, military systems vary widely in age, design philosophy, shielding quality, and electromagnetic hardening. Some platforms are built to stringent electromagnetic-environment standards, while others prioritise cost, weight, power consumption, or rapid deployment. [s3vi.ndc.nasa.gov+2incompliancemag.com]s3vi.ndc.nasa.govMI L-STD-464CMIL-STD-464C - S3VI1 Oct 2010 — This standard contains two sections, the main body and an appendix. The main body of the standard specifi…
Modern forces also operate mixed fleets. A single unit may combine legacy radios, commercial networking gear, tactical data links, vehicle electronics, unmanned systems, portable sensors, and contractor-supplied equipment. Each system may have different levels of electromagnetic protection and different coupling pathways. Consequently, a microwave engagement can produce uneven effects across the same force. One sensor may continue operating normally while another nearby system experiences disruption. [DSIAC+2sto.nato.int]dsiac.dtic.milDSIACSurvivability Against High-Power, Radio FrequencyThese electronic devices are known to be potentially vulnerable to high-power electromagnetic sources and environments, such as thos…
Networked operations can amplify this vulnerability. Even if a particular device survives exposure, it may depend on another component that does not. A command post may retain power while losing a network switch, timing source, radio gateway, or external sensor feed. The practical consequence is that system-level degradation can occur without widespread physical damage to individual devices. [DSIAC]dsiac.dtic.milDSIACSurvivability Against High-Power, Radio FrequencyThese electronic devices are known to be potentially vulnerable to high-power electromagnetic sources and environments, such as thos…
This challenge becomes more significant as military platforms incorporate increasing numbers of processors, digital interfaces, and communications links. High-power microwave effects exploit the same interconnected electronic architecture that enables modern battlefield awareness and coordination. [ResearchGate+2DSIAC]researchgate.netHigh Power Microwaves (HPM)EMC-related problems are of increasing concern to the military community, due to both the major ro…
Why proximity and protection matter more than ownership
From the perspective of electromagnetic physics, microwave energy does not distinguish between friendly and hostile electronics. What matters is exposure and susceptibility. Equipment positioned close to the engagement area, aligned with favourable coupling paths, or lacking effective shielding and filtering faces greater risk than equipment located farther away or better protected. onr.navy.mil+2Journal of Electromagnetic Dominance [onr.navy.mil]onr.navy.milDirected Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesNavy DEWs include systems that use high-energy lasers (HEL) that emit photons and high-powe…
This is why military standards emphasise electromagnetic compatibility, survivability testing, grounding, filtering, shielding, and cable management. The goal is not to make equipment invulnerable but to reduce the amount of energy that reaches sensitive circuitry and to ensure that inevitable disturbances remain manageable. [s3vi.ndc.nasa.gov+2waru.edu]s3vi.ndc.nasa.govMI L-STD-464CMIL-STD-464C - S3VI1 Oct 2010 — This standard contains two sections, the main body and an appendix. The main body of the standard specifi…
In a microwave counter-drone engagement, friendly radios and sensors survive not because they are friendly, but because their design, installation, and operating position prevent enough microwave energy from coupling into critical electronics to cause mission-relevant failure. [DSIAC+2publicationsdrdo.in]dsiac.dtic.milDSIACHigh-Power Microwave Directed Energy Weapons2 Nov 2019 — The target interaction module includes the RF coupling to the electronics and failure level of the electronics. If the…
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High Power Microwaves, Second Edition (Series on Plasma Physics)
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Electromagnetic compatibility engineering
Covers coupling paths, shielding, grounding, cables, and protecting electronics from electromagnetic interference.
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Explains how electromagnetic energy couples into circuits, cables, antennas, and systems.
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Endnotes
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Source: onr.navy.mil
Link: https://www.onr.navy.mil/organization/departments/code-35/division-353/directed-energy-weapons-high-power-microwavesSource snippet
Directed Energy Weapons: High Power MicrowavesNavy DEWs include systems that use high-energy lasers (HEL) that emit photons and high-powe...
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Source: dsiac.dtic.mil
Title: DSIACSurvivability Against High-Power, Radio Frequency
Link: https://dsiac.dtic.mil/webinars/survivability-against-high-power-radio-frequency-microwave-directed-energy-weapons/Source snippet
These electronic devices are known to be potentially vulnerable to high-power electromagnetic sources and environments, such as thos...
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Source: sto.nato.int
Link: https://www.sto.nato.int/document/tactical-implications-of-high-power-microwaves-3/ -
Source: waru.edu
Link: https://www.waru.edu/sites/default/files/Migrated/CopDocuments/MIL-STD-464.pdfSource snippet
(weapon) capable of emitting high power or high energy densities.Read more...
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Source: s3vi.ndc.nasa.gov
Title: MI L-STD-464C
Link: https://s3vi.ndc.nasa.gov/ssri-kb/static/resources/MIL-STD-464C.pdfSource snippet
MIL-STD-464C - S3VI1 Oct 2010 — This standard contains two sections, the main body and an appendix. The main body of the standard specifi...
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Source: dsiac.dtic.mil
Title: DSIACHigh-Power Microwave Directed Energy Weapons
Link: https://dsiac.dtic.mil/articles/high-power-microwave-directed-energy-weapons-a-model-and-simulation-toolbox/Source snippet
2 Nov 2019 — The target interaction module includes the RF coupling to the electronics and failure level of the electronics. If the...
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Source: publicationsdrdo.in
Link: https://publicationsdrdo.in/index.php/dsj/article/download/21114/8787/92344Source snippet
Electronic upset or damage via coupled microwave fields in circuits, cables, and antennas. Thermal and structural...
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Source: osti.gov
Link: https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/2586985Source snippet
These are defined with titles and references to the relevant Mil-Std-464 table for: 1.Read more...
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Source: incompliancemag.com
Title: mil std 464d a review of recent changes
Link: https://incompliancemag.com/mil-std-464d-a-review-of-recent-changes/Source snippet
MIL-STD-464D: A Review of Recent Changes31 Mar 2021 — In this article, we detail the key changes between MIL-STD-464C and MIL-STD-464D, t...
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Source: researchgate.net
Link: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hans_Schmidt8/publication/234213769_Coupling_measurements_on_intelligent_missiles_at_microwave_frequencies/links/5417f9630cf2f48c74a42889/Coupling-measurements-on-intelligent-missiles-at-microwave-frequencies.pdfSource snippet
High Power Microwaves (HPM)EMC-related problems are of increasing concern to the military community, due to both the major ro...
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Source: directed.com
Title: DIRECTE D
Link: https://www.directed.com/Source snippet
Car Alarms | Remote Starters | SMARTSTART...DIRECTED is the largest designer and marketer in North America of consumer-brande...
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Source: onr.navy.mil
Link: https://www.onr.navy.mil/organization/departments/code-35/division-353Source snippet
353: Directed Energy WeaponsInvestigate and mature technologies related to high-power microwave (HPM) and lasers for use in defensive app...
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Source: researchgate.net
Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/4229403_Research_on_high_power_microwave_weaponsSource snippet
(PDF) Research on high power microwave weaponsThis article describes for high power microwave (abbreviation HPM) weapons research from it...
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Source: jedonline.com
Link: https://www.jedonline.com/2023/01/24/high-power-microwave-systems-getting-much-much-closer-to-operational-status/Source snippet
Journal of Electromagnetic DominanceHigh-Power Microwave Systems – Getting (Much...24 Jan 2023 — In this article, we're going to look at...
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Source: yumpu.com
Title: MI L-STD-464
Link: https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/32350576/mil-std-464-acqnotescomSource snippet
MIL-STD-464 - AcqNotes.com6 Sept 2014 — High power microwave (HPM) sources have been under investigation for several years as<br />. pote...
Additional References
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Source: linkedin.com
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ew-hpm-milstd461-milstd464-robi-sen-cltgcSource snippet
EW, HPM, MIL‑STD‑461, and MIL‑STD‑464MIL‑STD‑461 addresses unintentional electromagnetic environments: radars, transmitters, natural phen...
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Source: linkedin.com
Link: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lj-eads-a2b066125_researchsecurity-nationalsecurity-directedenergy-activity-7430615989165211648-4Uc-Source snippet
US Navy Funded Research Meets PRC Defense Interests...... high-power microwave (HPM) research... technology directly relevant to direct...
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Source: publica.fraunhofer.de
Link: https://publica.fraunhofer.de/bitstreams/5781f3af-7dee-4d17-9cf2-438cb2396eb3/downloadSource snippet
Threat of High Power Microwaves to Infrastructureby M Suhrke · Cited by 1 — IEMI [intentional electromagnetic interference] is the intent...
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Source: publications.tno.nl
Link: https://publications.tno.nl/publication/100952/OFKZam/adami-2011Source snippet
of High Power MicrowavesWe discuss HPM detection principles as well as capabilities and limitations of existing HPM detectors. Then we de...
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Source: scribd.com
Link: https://www.scribd.com/document/170820534/Mil-Std-464a -
Source: twz.com
Title: navys rush to test microwave weapons tied to anti ship ballistic missile fears
Link: https://www.twz.com/sea/navys-rush-to-test-microwave-weapons-tied-to-anti-ship-ballistic-missile-fearsSource snippet
Navy's Rush To Test Microwave Weapons Tied To Anti-...29 Mar 2024 — The U.S. Navy hopes to have a prototype high-power microwave directe...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRI7fYRMI9ESource snippet
High Power Microwave WeaponsAndy Lowery to dig deep into directed energy weapons—specifically high-power microwave (HPM) systems. Andy is...
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Source: youtube.com
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CmHy2AsfUsSource snippet
Report Launch: Directed Energy Weapon Supply ChainsDirected energy weapons (DEWs), including high energy lasers (HELs) and high-power mic...
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Source: nationalinterest.org
Title: project meteor navys plan high power microwave weapons 210353
Link: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/project-meteor-navys-plan-high-power-microwave-weapons-210353/Source snippet
Project METEOR: The Navy's Plan for High Power...2 Apr 2024 — High-power microwaves (HPW) are one type of DEW, and these “could create b...
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Source: news.usni.org
Title: navy to test microwave anti drone weapon at sea in 2026
Link: https://news.usni.org/2024/03/27/navy-to-test-microwave-anti-drone-weapon-at-sea-in-2026Source snippet
to Test Microwave Anti-Drone Weapon at Sea in 202627 Mar 2024 — The US Navy plans to mount a high-powered microwave prototype system on o...
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