“High energy frequency weapons” are a type of 

Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) that use concentrated electromagnetic energy, typically in the form of high-power microwaves (HPM) or radiofrequency (RF) waves, to disrupt, damage, or destroy electronic systems or targets. 

Key Characteristics

• Mechanism: These weapons couple intense electromagnetic energy into the circuitry of targeted electronic hardware, causing operational disruption, scrambling computer memories, or physically burning out components.
• Targeting: Unlike traditional kinetic weapons (bullets or missiles), many HPM weapons have a wider beam size and can affect multiple targets or swarms of drones simultaneously, offering a cost-effective solution with a low cost per shot.
• Effects: Effects can be scaled from non-lethal (temporary disruption) to lethal (permanent destruction of electronics).
• Applications: They are primarily being developed for military applications such as counter-drone missions, anti-missile defense, and electronic warfare, where they can disable enemy communications, radar systems, and command and control centers. 

Examples and Development

Several countries, including the U.S. and the U.K., are actively researching and developing these systems. 

• THOR (Tactical High-power Operational Responder): Developed by the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), THOR is a HPM system designed to counter drone swarms for base defense.
• Leonidas: Developed by the U.S. defense tech company Epirus, the Leonidas is a solid-state HPM system using Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, designed for mobile counter-UAS and counter-swarm operations.
• RFDEW (Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon): The U.K. has successfully tested this system, which uses radio waves to “fry” the electronic components of drone swarms.
• Active Denial System (ADS): This non-lethal millimeter wave weapon was developed by the U.S. military for crowd control by heating the surface of a person’s skin to cause intense pain without lasting damage. 

These weapons represent a significant shift in military technology, offering speed-of-light engagement and deep magazines (unlimited shots as long as there is power). 

What are some high-energy frequency weapon applications?

How do high-power microwave weapons differ from high-energy laser weapons?

What are the ethical concerns around using DEWs?