capability development plan - European Defence Agency - Europa

IMPACT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ON FUTURE
CAPABILITIES DEVELOPMENT
Power sources for soldier systems are an important issue. This is discussed as part of the domain of
knowledge and networking.
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Weapon systems – destructive effects. The main S&T trends are related to using weapon systems
together with sensor and network data in order to better produce the desired effects, which may both
be destructive (lethal) and non-destructive (non- or less lethal).
In terms of destructive effects, this primarily means continued evolutionary developments of precision
guided munitions (PGMs) for increased precision, lower failure rates and resilience against
countermeasures, in order to reduce collateral damage and the risk of fratricide. There is however also
some developments directed at introducing new kinds of effects or “weapon cores”, better suited to
achieving appropriate destructive effects for future operations. This includes weapons for self-defence
purposes, intended for the protection of platforms.
If fully pursued, new developments in the area of novel energetic materials could lead to increased
weapon performance by using increased explosive performance (expected to be 20-25%):
- It is possible to increase in armour penetration of up to 60% by use of new liners in Shaped Charge
Jet (SCJ). This would make it possible to produce much smaller and lighter AT weapons with the same
performance as today, which would be of relevance to dismounted soldiers as well as to small-size
unmanned vehicles.
- It is possible to develop weapons based on Enhanced Blast Explosives (EBX), using novel energetic
materials and different metals (possibly made more reactive), to enhance effects in confined spaces
and urban warfare. This could be used for small, man-possible weapons with exceptional performance
for urban warfare e.g. larger blast effect in a confined area and less collateral damage outside this area
(because of less shrapnel). Another use for this technology is large bombs with exceptional
performance in heavily fortified enemy strongholds (caves, bunkers).
- Other developments in the novel energetic materials could mean more gradual increases in the
capability of new weapons: increase in range of rocket engines up to 50%, increase in performance of
underwater weapons (such as torpedoes or mines) up to 25% (plus effects of using EBX), or increase
in muzzle velocity of guns leading to better penetration, increased range, shorter in flight time resulting
with better hit probability.
Besides the well established kinetic energy weapons and explosives, a completely new family of
weapons, Directed Energy Weapons (DEW), is emerging. DEW mainly takes the shape of High Power
Microwaves (HPM) and laser weapons. In general, DEW can be used for both destructive and nondestructive
purposes, depending on the power of the weapon and for which purpose it is used. Some
DEW systems are useful for both purposes, if they are given a tuneable effect, while some will only be
useful for a narrower purpose.
Avior, laser system characterised by unlimited depth of definition, a high degree of colour diversity, brightness and constant colour
convergence - developed by Rheinmetall Defence Electronics © Rheinmetall Defence Electronics
Two attractive aspects of DEW is that the energy beam travels with the speed of light (although the
weapon system could still take time to aim and to fire up) and that DEW do not consume ammunitions
as such. They do however require significant energy supply and high-power DEW will likely consume
more electrical power than any other mobile system in service installed. The power source aspects
need to be taken into account when the total system size and logistics footprint of DEW is estimated,
which makes the future role of DEW still uncertain – wide applicability or niche.
The effect of HPM is to destroy or disrupt electronics, such as that of an incoming missile, while laser
weapons either blind optical sensors of platforms or weapons, or heat up their target to achieve a
disruptive or destructive effect, such as prematurely igniting the warhead of an incoming weapon. HPM
effects are mainly short-range but need not be as carefully aimed, while laser weapons are long-range
but are dependent on careful aiming to achieve their effects.
Close-range self-protection of valuable platforms against incoming weapons could be achieved by
integrated HPM functionality into the platform, provided that the electronics systems of the platform will
not be harmed when the HPM is engaged.
Other uses to which HPM charges or weapons may be put include clearance of mines and IEDs, and
disruption of adversaries’ electronics equipment, such as communication systems and radars.
FUTURE TRENDS FROM THE CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN