CHAMP

Description

The CHAMP (Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project) is an air-launched directed energy weapon. Designed to neutralize electrical equipment, the CHAMP differs from traditional ‘electronic attack’ in that it destroys circuits instead of jamming or hacking them. The warhead is deliverable on missiles, aircraft or drones. Unlike anti-radiation missiles, which home in on radio emissions and destroy using a conventional warhead, the CHAMP does not require direct impact to unleash its microwave beam and be effective.

PRIMAL Assessment

The CHAMP is a significant threat to early model circuitry. Most modern military systems have a level of hardening and redundancy against electronic attack thus a CHAMP attack should be followed up by conventional weaponry. In an environment with sophisticated directed energy and cyber-warfare threats, operatives need to be trained and equipped to function without electrical systems.