Electric vehicles (EVs) are not only a boon for the environment but also a cost-saving powerhouse when compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The recurrent costs of fueling ICE vehicles with pricey gasoline or diesel dwarf the energy expenses of EVs, which can be powered by an array of energy sources, from fossil fuels to clean nuclear and renewable options.
Transitioning Military Strategies with Electrical Power
Worldwide military forces are pinpointing a critical issue: the exorbitant costs of conventional defense systems. Terrorist organizations, utilizing cost-effective means of aggression, are forcing these militaries to rethink their strategies. Electrification of defense mechanisms, particularly in the form of directed energy weapons like lasers and microwave emitters, presents a solution to flip the economic tables on terrorist threats.
The Billion-Dollar Surge Towards Electric Defense
The quest to develop effective electric-directed energy weapons is no small investment—with nations spending upwards of $1 billion annually. Antiquated lasers, although common in targeting and illumination roles, lacked the power needed for tangible destruction. Today’s advancements in technology allow for kilowatt-powered lasers, capable of incinerating drones and rockets, thus revolutionizing military defense capabilities.
Out with the Old: Chemical Lasers
Historically, high-intensity lasers operated on chemical reactions, which yielded powerful but cumbersome and costly outputs. An emblematic failed project was a Boeing 747 adaptation intended to house such a system; a testament to the impracticality of older laser technologies.
In with the New: Solid State Lasers
In stark contrast, cutting-edge solid-state lasers harness electricity, drastically reducing operational costs. This innovation translates to nearly unlimited “ammunition” against aerial threats, at a minuscule price per shot. Such advancements are not simply theoretical; real-world applications are on the horizon, with militaries like Israel’s preparing to deploy their own defensive laser systems.
Mitigating Costs with Electric Defense
In regions like Israel, where inexpensive rockets are a constant threat, systems such as Iron Dome have protected citizens but have done so with significant financial burdens. Iron Beam, a laser counterpart, promises to neutralize threats more economically, thereby offsetting the disproportionate costs incurred by traditional interception systems.
In the United States, similar cost concerns arise from systems like C-RAM, a radar-guided cannon with expensive ammunition. The Navy‘s HELIOS system represents a step forward, with tests showcasing its capability of providing more affordable point defense through the use of lasers.
The Learning Curve of Laser Adoption
Military branches are navigating a steep learning curve, as the first deployment of ship and vehicle-mounted lasers is yet just beginning. Real-world operations will ultimately reveal the effectiveness and optimal uses of these novel defense tools.
High-Powered Microwaves: The Next Frontier
Beyond lasers, high-powered microwaves show potential, especially as drone zappers that interfere with electronic systems rather than directly destroying targets. However, research and development in this area are still in nascent stages.
Why Drones Are Pivotal in Modern Warfare
Electric aviation has not only arrived but transformed the landscape of both humanitarian aid and military tactics. Economical drone operations have dual outcomes, serving as life-saving tools on one hand and as inexpensive means for military and terror groups to exert power on the other.
Low-cost “flat pack” drones are redefining warfare, capable of delivering significant payloads over considerable distances. These makeshift aerial weapons pose a challenge by draining the arsenals of advanced militaries without the need for costly technology.
The future of warfare demands a new economic approach to counter these aerial threats, with electric defense systems offering a feasible and potent solution. Electrification presents an imperative shift for military leaders intent on sustaining defense viability in an increasingly asymmetric landscape.
