The Basics of Electric Weapons and Pulsed-Power Technologies

Most conventional weapons rely on chemical energy explosives as their destruction mechanism, either to explode on target, like bombs, or to create kinetic energy, like a bullet. Electric weapons are different. Electric weapons use stored electrical energy, rather than explosives, to attack or destroy the target. Electric weapons generally fall into two categories directed-energy weapons DEWs and electromagnetic EM launchers. DEWs send energy, instead of matter, toward a target, and can be separated into three types laser weapons, particle-beam weapons, and high-power microwave HPM or radio- frequency RF weapons. EM launchers use electrical energy to throw a mass at a target, thus making them distinct from directed energy. There are three types of EM launchers rail guns, coil guns, and induction drivers. All involve the use of strong magnetic fields to push against projectiles. While electric guns are an electric weapon, they are not a DEW. High electrical powers and large energies are needed for all these weapons. Technologies for storing and controlling electric power are needed and are commonly called pulsed-power technologies. Electric guns are often associated with DEWs due to their common reliance on pulsed-power technology. This article discusses the following topics 1 the advantages of electric weapons over conventional explosives, 2 pulsed power technologies for electric weapons, 3 the all-electric ship and electric weapons, 4 high-power microwave HPM and radiofrequency weapons, 5 high-energy lasers, 6 particle beams, and 7 electromagnetic launchers.