Powerful Microwave Weapon: U.S. Army Tests 'Gun' That Disables Drones 0 19

ThinKom Solutions, based in Hawthorne, California, made a loud entry into the high-power microwave weapon market in August 2025, as reported by Defence Blog. A recent U.S. Army experiment, known as the Cross Domain Fires Concept Focused Warfighting Experiment, showcased the impressive capabilities of their mobile system.

Mounted on a standard pickup truck and controlled by the EchoShield radar from Echodyne, this setup can instantly disable a drone's electronics without firing a single shot. The company is actively developing systems to combat unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as for integrated air and missile defense, performing other electronic countermeasure tasks.

"This move was not so much a radical change as it was an expansion of activities – the company has been creating phased array systems for satellite communications for over two decades, and the core technology behind these systems, a patented design called VICTS, has proven to be extremely suitable for operating at the extreme power levels required for high-power microwave-based weapons," the publication emphasizes. During development and testing, the company has convincingly demonstrated that its VICTS phased arrays can withstand colossal power levels in the gigawatt range.

The VICTS-based HPM system, painted in a strict military olive color, was installed directly on the platform of a standard pickup truck in the middle of an open field. "No trailer. No shipping container-sized generator. No special vehicle or specialized chassis. Just the pickup, the system, and the mobility capability," the publication proudly states.

The publication highlights that such impressive mobility is not a coincidence but represents a key advantage for ThinKom, distinguishing their approach to HPM from previous developments.

VICTS stands for Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Stub – it is a unique mechanically controlled phased array antenna developed and patented by the company specifically for satellite communications. Unlike most counterparts that control the beam electronically, VICTS uses mechanical control, allowing it to handle significantly higher peak powers. This eliminates losses in thermal mode and efficiency that are typically observed in electronically controlled arrays when operating at extreme power levels.

"High-power microwave (HPM) weapons operate by directing concentrated electromagnetic energy at a target – in this case, an approaching drone – with an intensity sufficient to damage or destroy the electronics inside it," the publication explains in detail. A drone that has lost communication may simply hover, return to base, or continue its mission.

However, a drone whose flight controller, GPS receiver, or engine control electronics have been literally burned by a gigawatt pulse of microwave energy is no longer capable of any of these actions. The company refers to this effect as 'hard kill': focused electromagnetic energy penetrates the target through antennas or interacts with other electronics, causing instant and irreversible damage from a distance.

With a 360-degree view and the ability to operate on the move, which ThinKom emphasizes with the integration of EchoShield, the system successfully addresses tactical tasks that are unavailable to stationary HPM complexes. The publication notes that the size, weight, and power (SWaP) parameters that the company focuses on are critically important for a system designed for light vehicles.

"Every kilogram added to the system is a kilogram taken away from something else. Every watt of primary power consumed by the HPM system is a watt unavailable for communication systems, sensors, or other vehicle systems," the article explains. The company confidently states that the complex they have developed is ideally suited for both mobile and stationary operations.