Flight Test of Directed Energy Missile Revealed
The latest effort to produce a practical airborne high-powered microwave (HPM) weapon has reached the flight-test stage.
Boeing has not released a photo of the Boeing Champ missile, but in this artists’ concept, the company’s X-45 UCAV performs a high-power microwave (HPM) attack.
Boeing has not released a photo of the Boeing Champ missile, but in this artists’ concept, the company’s X-45 UCAV performs a high-power microwave (HPM) attack.

The latest effort to produce a practical airborne high-powered microwave (HPM) weapon has reached the flight-test stage. Boeing announced that the counter-electronics, high-powered microwave, advanced-missile project (Champ) flew earlier this year from the Utah Test and Training Range near Salt Lake City.

The HPM system was not activated during the first flight, but the missile was pointed at multiple simulated targets and locations, confirming that it could be controlled and timed. According to Boeing Champ manager Keith Coleman, the test “sets the stage for a new breed of nonlethal but highly effective weapon systems.” More tests are scheduled for later this year.