⚡️ US developing rapid microwave defenses again drones and missiles

Plus: Blind robot learns to walk, nuclear asteroid solution modeled, Butterfly eVTOL takes off.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 December 21, 2023 | [Read Online]( Raytheon is developing rugged, transportable directed energy systems that can annihilate hostile drones and missiles near-instantly via precise beams of microwave radiation. Authorized under an almost $32 million Pentagon contract, the high-power microwave antenna prototypes will destroy airborne targets by overloading delicate electronics at light speed upon locking on. With historic expertise in the field, Raytheon intends the systems to deploy with US forces and assets and counter the escalating threat from aerial weapons. Learn more about their capabilities in today’s [Must Read](. 👀 Have you subscribed to our two latest newsletters? [Mechanical]( and [AI Logs]( cover mechanical engineering and artificial intelligence, and they’re both essential reading. ♻️ New podcast [Engineering sustainability: Navigating green tech with a global manufacturing network.]( Good morning. I’m Tim, newsletter editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it! Did a friend forward this e-mail to you? [Subscribe ✉](  VIDEO OF THE DAY How has ATACMS boosted the power of HIMARS in Ukraine? The M142 HIMARS, with its “shoot and scoot” ability, deploys the feared MGM-140 ATACMS for long-range precision strikes behind the front line. 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MUST READ ⚡️ [US to develop microwave defenses to annihilate aerial threats]( The Pentagon has commissioned defense firm Raytheon to design a pair of transportable high-power microwave antenna systems, dubbed DEFEND, for obliterating aerial threats. The directed energy weapons will track targets and engage them at the speed of light by frying sensitive electronics using focused microwave beams. Building on decades of high-power microwave (HPM) technology experience, Raytheon aims to supply the lethal yet non-kinetic systems to the Navy and Air Force within the next few years. With drones and missiles presenting persistent threats worldwide, these rapid-response microwave emitters would offer US forces the versatile protection they need to defend against intensifying aerial attacks. [Read more >]( INNOVATION 👨🏼‍🦯 [Blind humanoid uses AI to teach itself to walk]( UC Berkeley engineers built an adaptable bipedal robot that uses artificial intelligence to learn how to walk through trial and error. Emergent traits like swinging arms mimic human movement, and while still unable to handle stairs or see obstacles, its ability to self-balance after disturbances shows potential. Watch the android’s first unsteady steps toward versatile mobility. [Read more >]( TRANSPORTATION 🦋 [‘Butterfly’ aircraft leads quiet eVTOL revolution]( California startup Overair built an innovative five-seat electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft called Butterfly. The design aims for unprecedented efficiency, control and 60 percent less noise than conventional aircraft. With a 100-mile range and impressive failure tolerance, the prototype targets applications from urban transit to medical transport. Watch this whisper-quiet people-mover take to the air. [Read more >]( SCIENCE 💥 [Nuclear blast simulations aid asteroid impact avoidance]( Lawrence Livermore National Lab researchers modeled using a theoretical nuclear device to deflect asteroids detected on Earth-impacting trajectories. The simulations provided valuable data on how to minimize the explosive yield required to successfully divert an incoming threat. Learn more about plans to protect the Earth from dangerous asteroid strikes. [Read more >]( Question of the Day Will deployment of directed energy systems be able to counter intensifying aerial threats? [Yes, it'll fry their electronics]( [No, hardened drones will get through]( [Possibly, but drones are so cheap and plentiful]( [Only as part of a complex defense network]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS Yesterday, we asked you about our exclusive IE Academy workshops. We’ll reveal more in January, but we can reveal that IE Academy will be the digital toolbox for all the engineers in 2024. 🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ Absolutely! Bring on the learning. 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