Microwave gun developed to help Russia down drones

16 Jun 2015

A new weapon dubbed the ‘Microwave Gun’, which can deactivate drones, missiles and all unmanned airborne vehicles (UAVs), has been developed for the Russian defence ministry.

Operating with a 10km radius, and offering a 360-degree wall of defence, the device is being shown off to government officials at a military event this week, according to Sputnik News, which credits Russia’s United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC) as those behind it.

“The new system is equipped with a high-power relativistic generator and reflector antenna, management and control system, and a transmission system which is fixed on the chassis of BUK surface-to-air missile systems,” says a UIMC representative in Sputnik News.

“When mounted on a special platform, the ‘microwave gun’ is capable of ensuring perimeter defense at 360 degrees,” the representative said.

Every major country is battling to try and catch up with advances in drone technology – even when those behind the advancement are the states themselves – with various approaches taken.

For example, the US has begun banning drones form certain, understandably key areas, although what they will do to down military drones is unclear.

Russia military image, via Shutterstock

Gordon Hunt was a journalist with Silicon Republic

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