After many mysterious illnesses from many diplomats, the experts were triggered to find out more about the effects and how to detect microwave weapons.
Microwave energy might be the perfect weapon because it is invisible but deadly. Because of the unknown side effects many diplomats have reported, scientists and experts began to dig deeper to find a way to connect those effects with microwaves.
Because microwave energy is used by many electronic devices, it might be easy to find a detector for it. There is a tool that measures microwave power since this type of energy produces heat that can increase the body temperature. The heat is a result of the vibrating atoms of this power.
How to Detect Microwave Weapons
Microwave energy can be detected with a tool named a “bolometer”. It has three materials that help the tool calculate the amount of electromagnetic energy. Being attacked by a microwave weapon is hard to notice and realize because the rays are invisible. But we believe that a combination of bolometer materials can help experts invent a detector.
This type of energy is used in many technology fields, like astronomy, mobile communications, radar, etc. The microwave’s presence simplifies the work of detecting it, which is an excellent sign for experts working on finding wearable microwave weapon detectors.
The Defense Health Agency recommends inventing wearable sensors for the military so that they can catch RF weapons. Microwave energy is invisible to the eye but highly dangerous for the brain.
Most microwave weapons include HPM (High Powered Microwave) and HEL (High Energy Lasers). Together, they are known as “Directed Energy Weapons (DEW)”. Being attacked by these weapons results in pain and ringing in the ears and some cognitive difficulties.
Microwave Weapons and Detection Tools
As technology moves forward, microwave weapons become a growing threat out there. The threat is so considerable that the US military needs a wearable microwave detector that will protect the army in case of a microwave weapon attack.
The effects of RF might be similar to illness or heart stroke. Sensors can detect the RF energy and clearly distinguish its effects from the other ones. At the same time, without an RF detector, it can be difficult to separate that injury from regular illness.
Microwave weapon sensors might provide clear evidence and notify when there is an RF attack. When wearing a microwave detector, the soldiers might receive timely signals so that they can report the injuries they have felt and protect themselves appropriately and on time.
The wearable detection too should be lightweight and small, able to detect the RF direction and measure its levels. Then, the detector can show clear results about the risk, damage, and possible consequences of the microwave weapons attack.
Bolometer
A bolometer is a device used to measure microwave energy or radiant heat. This device was invented in 1878.
The construction of a bolometer lies in three materials. The first material is an electromagnetic absorption material that is connected to a thermal reservoir via a thermal link. The second material turns the electromagnetic waves into heat, while the third material turns the same generated heat into electrical resistance.
As a microwave power detecting tool, the bolometer can calculate the amount of absorbed electromagnetic waves. The initially-intended bolometer had multiple metal parts, while the newer generations of bolometers have semiconductors instead of metals.
Microbolometer
As you can see by the name, a microbolometer is a type of bolometer, but in a quite smaller size. In most cases, this type of bolometer is used in thermal cameras to catch infrared radiation with wavelengths from 7.5 to 14 μm.
The wavelengths strike the detector and produce heat, which changes the electrical resistance. The changed electrical resistance is processed into temperatures, later measured, and transformed into an image.
The detecting materials in the microbolometer give this tool excellent responsivity.
Directed Energy Weapon – DEW
This type of weapon is used to attack the target without a solid projectile. The DEW uses highly-focused energy like lasers, microwaves, and sound beams. DEWs can target a person, vehicles, optical devices, and missiles.
DEWs are still developing in most parts of the world, while Turkey and Iran claim they have already activated them. However, most of the finished directed energy weapons are still at their experimental stage, and there is no solid evidence claiming their final appearance and function.
The directed energy weapons might work using different kinds of energy, including microwaves.
Microwave weapons
The microwave DEWs are between 300MHz and 300GHz, which is in the RF range. Among the popular microwave weapons we will mention:
- ADS (active denial system)
The millimeter-wave source can heat the water in the human skin and cause incapacitating pain. This weapon was invented by the US Air Force Research Lab.
An Active Denial System is still not developed, but it can cause pain without permanent damage for now. Also, this weapon can destroy unshielded electronic devices.
- Vigilant Eagle
An airport-based defense system that directs high-frequency microwaves toward any kind of fired projectile.
This weapon was successively invented in 2005 and had effectively defeated MANPADS missiles.
- AESA (active electronically scanned array)
This weapon is mounted on fighter aircraft and is generally meant to defeat missiles within a range of 100 meters. This weapon is still developing, but its antenna size, power, and field view are still quite limited.
- Anti-drone rifle
A battery-powered EM pulse weapon can be pointed at a flying target. It is not a gun nor a rifle, but its name is given because it is held and operated the same way as a rifle. Its electromagnetic pulses can damage a drone’s navigation and transmission channels over a range of 2 kilometers.
Conclusion
Everyone wonders how to detect microwave weapons. They have become a part of the battlefield, but no one has invented a wearable microwave detector that will signify microwave weapon danger and intensity.
