Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project
{{update|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox weapon
|is_missile=yes
|name=CHAMP
|image=
|caption=
|origin= United States
|type=counter-electronics directed energy weapon (experimental)
|used_by=
|manufacturer=Boeing Defense, Space & Security
|unit_cost=
|propellant=
|production_date=
|service=
|variants=
|engine=
|weight=
|length=
|height=
|diameter=
|wingspan=
|speed=
|vehicle_range=
|ceiling=
|altitude=
|filling=
|guidance=
|detonation=
|launch_platform=
}}
The Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project (CHAMP) is a joint concept technology demonstration led by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base to develop an air-launched directed-energy weapon capable of incapacitating or damaging electronic systems{{cite web|url=http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3A27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3A347da0db-c427-4928-85ff-da01662523fe |title=Leave Them Sitting In Silence, In The Dark |last=Fulghum |first=David |publisher=Aviation Week |accessdate=2009-03-04 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100321164415/http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog |archivedate=March 21, 2010 }} by means of an EMP (electromagnetic pulse).{{cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=Brandon|title=Raytheon EMP weapon tested by Boeing, USAF Research Lab|url=http://mil-embedded.com/news/raytheon-emp-missile-tested-by-boeing-usaf-research-lab/|website=Military Embedded Systems|accessdate=8 December 2017}}
Development
On October 22, 2012, Boeing announced a successful test of the missile.{{cite web|title=Non-kinetic Missile Records 1st Operational Test Flight|url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=2454|publisher=Boeing|accessdate=23 October 2012}} CHAMP disabled seven different targets before self-destructing over empty desert.[http://www.businessinsider.com/beoings-counter-electronics-high-power-microwave-advanced-missile-project-2012-10?0=defense Boeing's Counter-Electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project - Business Insider]{{cite web|last=Reed |first=john |title=Boeing's flying blackout |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/10/22/boeings-flying-blackout/ |publisher=ForeignPolicy.com |date=October 22, 2012}}
The U.S. Air Force expected to have technology for a steerable counter-electronics weapon “available” in 2016, when a multi-shot, multi-target, high-power microwave (HPM) package would be tested aboard an AGM-86 ALCM. By the mid-2020s, HPM weapons are expected to be integrated onto a "JASSM-ER-type weapon," and on small reusable platforms like the F-35 Lightning II and unmanned aerial vehicles. HPM weapons may be desired in situations where one target building needs to be engaged and shut down, while not affecting the buildings around it. Other potential improvements could include increasing autonomy and putting it on hypersonic missiles.[http://www.militarytimes.com/article/20140916/NEWS04/309160056/Air-Force-expects-test-counter-electronics-missile-2016 Air Force expects to test counter-electronics missile in 2016] - MilitaryTimes.com, 16 September 2014
The CHAMP is unique among electronic warfare weapons because it does not affect human targets and has very low collateral damage potential. Congress has suggested repurposing excess cruise missiles demilitarized under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty to turn them into CHAMP weapons without violating it.[https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-u-s-air-force-has-a-computer-killing-cruise-missile-6a0bcf481ce1 The U.S. Air Force Has a Computer-Killing Cruise Missile] - Medium.com/War-is-Boring, 30 March 2015 On 14 May 2015, the Air Force nominated the Lockheed Martin JASSM-ER as the optimal air vehicle to carry the CHAMP payload.[http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-nominates-jassm-missile-to-host-new-computer-killing-412348/ USAF nominates JASSM missile to host new computer-killing weapon] - Flightglobal.com, 14 May 2015 CHAMP is capable of up to 100 shots per sortie.[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-defence-firms-get-creative-at-air-warfare-422373/ ANALYSIS: Defence firms get creative at Air Warfare Symposium] - Flightglobal.com, 25 February 2016
In May 2019, it was revealed the Air Force had deployed at least 20 CHAMP-equipped missiles.[https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/2019-news-aerospace-industry-air-force/may/5050-usa-high-power-microwaves-missiles-that-destroys-electronics-not-buildings.html High-power microwaves missiles that destroys electronics, not buildings]. Air Recognition. 20 May 2019.
Ground-based
In 2013, Raytheon demonstrated a ground-based air defense high-powered microwave system derived from CHAMP technology, disabling electronics on small UAVs. The demonstrator resembles the active denial system non-lethal crowd control device, including its reflector and steering mirror. It is integrated with radar automated tracking. Services and agencies have expressed interest in the technology to disable small UAVs infringing on sensitive sites. Although the current prototype measures 6 m (19.7 ft), the company has designed a system half the size that can deliver the same capability.[https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/raytheon-pitches-champ-derivative-for-air-defence-426549/ Raytheon pitches CHAMP derivative for air defence] - Flightglobal.com, 21 June 2016
Successor
The AFRL and Office of Naval Research will conduct tests during summer 2022 of the High-Powered Joint Electromagnetic Non-Kinetic Strike Weapon (HiJENKS), a successor to the CHAMP using smaller and more rugged HPM technology that can be integrated on a wider range of carrier systems.[https://www.defensenews.com/battlefield-tech/2022/07/01/us-navy-air-force-running-capstone-test-of-new-high-power-microwave-missile/ US Navy, Air Force running ‘capstone test’ of new high-power microwave missile]. Defense News. 1 July 2022.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|last=Jackson|first=Randy|title=CHAMP - lights out (Video)|url=http://www.boeing.com/Features/2012/10/bds_champ_10_22_12.html|publisher=Boeing|date=October 30, 2012}}