Microwave weaponry, also known as directed-energy weapons (DEWs), is a type of non-lethal or lethal weapon that uses directed microwave radiation to harm or disable its target. These weapons fall under the category of directed-energy weapons, which are designed to emit focused energy in the form of lasers, microwaves, or other electromagnetic waves.
There are two primary types of microwave weaponry:
Non-Lethal Microwave Weapons: These weapons are designed to temporarily disable or incapacitate individuals without causing significant permanent harm or death. They work by emitting microwave radiation towards the target, which can cause intense heating of the outer layers of the skin, resulting in a sensation of extreme pain. The pain prompts the targeted individuals to move away from the beam or drop their weapons, making them effective for crowd control or stopping potential threats without inflicting lethal injuries.
Lethal Microwave Weapons: In contrast to non-lethal microwave weapons, lethal microwave weapons are intended to cause serious harm or death to their targets. They work by delivering a much higher intensity of microwave radiation, causing severe internal heating and potentially fatal damage to internal organs.
It's important to note that the development and use of directed-energy weapons, including microwave weaponry, raise significant ethical and legal concerns. International law and human rights organizations closely monitor the use of these weapons to ensure that they are not deployed in ways that violate international treaties or result in unnecessary harm to civilians or combatants.
microwave weaponry was still considered an area of active research and development by various military and defense organizations. However, the use of such weapons in combat or law enforcement scenarios remained limited and controversial due to the risks associated with their deployment.