The Role of High-Power Microwave Weapons in Modern Warfare

This book is the result of Dr. Latha Christie's deep understanding of high-power microwave devices, acquired over several decades, and her excellent ability to analyse and present a difficult subject in a comprehensive and convincing manner. The timing of this book is highly appropriate, as the character of warfare is rapidly evolving towards contactless, non-lethal capabilities that minimise human casualties and collateral damage. I recommend this book as a valuable resource not only for engineers, scholars and students, but also for defence analysts, military planners and all those interested in understanding The Role of High-Power Microwave Weapons in Modern Warfare in its totality.

Prof. Lalit Kumar, BITS Pilani; formerly Chairman, CEPTAM, DRDO, New Delhi, and Director, MTRDC, DRDO, Bengaluru, India

Key Features:

• Covers HPM source classes (relativistic, vacuum/vircator, NLTL/solid-state, gyro-devices), emission mechanisms and coupling into targets, providing a unified and detailed treatment.
• Presents a five-subsystem view (energy storage ? pulsed-power ? HV switching ? source generation ? emission & coupling) and follows through to antenna/coupling, EMC/EMI, measurement, test protocols and system integration—bridging component physics to fieldable capability.
• Uses concrete case studies and documented demonstrations (CHAMP, THOR and allied trials) to translate effects science into mission planning for counter-UAV, base and shipboard protection, expeditionary concepts and space/airborne options.
• Provides checklists, hardening and mitigation techniques, vulnerability trade-offs and test procedures to support acquisition, operations and sustainment teams.
• Addresses attribution, export-control/dual-use concerns and arms-control implications and concludes with an explicit research agenda to guide funders, policymakers and think tanks.