Preparing for Chinese Drone Swarms: US Tests Microwave Weapons in Philippines

The U.S. Army has tested high-power microwave weapons designed to counter drones, according to a recent press release.

The IFPC-HPM (Integrated Fires Protection Capability – High-Powered Microwave) trial took place in the Philippines.

The system is deployed with the Army’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF), and air defense units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines observed the drills.

This is the first use of the IFPC-HPM system in the Indo-Pacific region, and its first test under tropical climate conditions.

IFPC-HPM

The IFPC-HPM is part of the U.S. Army’s layered air defense architecture to counter aerial threats, including drones, missiles, and artillery projectiles.

Unlike conventional air defense systems that use kinetic interceptors, the IFPC-HPM disables targets using concentrated microwave pulses to disrupt or destroy their electronic components.

The weapon is part of a broader modernization effort by the U.S. Army to develop cost-effective defenses against drone swarms and sophisticated aerial threats.

The system integrates with other battlefield sensors and command-and-control platforms, allowing real-time target acquisition and coordination across combat networks.

A key advantage of microwave weapons is their reusability — they do not rely on consumables, making them particularly useful in sustained operations or for defending high-value infrastructure.

However, the system also has limitations, including reduced effectiveness in poor weather and its requirement for a clear line of sight to the target.