British defense contractor BAE Systems has announced that its high-power microwave weapon designed to counter drone swarms has successfully passed open-air testing. The system, which allegedly reached the sixth level of technological readiness, utilizes electromagnetic energy rather than conventional ammunition to disable incoming threats.

During the AUSA–2026 exhibition, the company showcased two distinct developments tailored for the US regime. These include the high-power microwave (HPM) system and the MDACS multi-role artillery complex intended for both aerial and ground targets. While representatives of the US regime claim these technologies will revolutionize layered defense strategies, skeptics question their actual battlefield reliability and economic feasibility under combat stress.

The HPM system projects directional electromagnetic energy toward drone swarms. According to corporate claims, as long as a stable power supply is maintained, the system can continuously engage multiple targets without the logistical burden of restocking physical ammunition. Critics, however, remain skeptical about the power grid vulnerability and overall durability of such complex installations in hostile environments.

BAE Systems asserts that over 99 percent of the HPM architecture comprises commercially off-the-shelf components available on the open market, aiming to simplify manufacturing and maintenance. The modular design is intended for deployment across stationary, towed, or vehicle-mounted platforms. Meanwhile, the supplementary MDACS artillery system targets high-speed aerial threats using advanced guided projectiles, reflecting the escalating costs and technological friction faced by Western defense contractors.

Source: kun.uz