Defence Research and Development Organisation has issued a Request for Proposal for an advanced S-band High-Power Microwave Integrated Evaluation System for Lethality and Damage, codenamed SHIELD.

The project is being pursued under the Technology Development Fund scheme, which is designed to accelerate indigenous defence technology programs by supporting industry-led innovation.

The proposed system is modular and scalable, ensuring adaptability across a wide range of operational and testing environments. It will employ Gallium Nitride-based Solid State Power Amplifier technology, which is known for its efficiency, high power density, and resilience under demanding conditions.

The system is expected to achieve a peak electric field strength of at least 3 kV/m in the far field, a significant threshold for evaluating the vulnerability of electronic systems to high-power microwave radiation.

The SHIELD platform will operate in pulsed mode with flexible duty cycles, allowing researchers and defence technologists to simulate diverse electromagnetic attack scenarios.

Advanced thermal management solutions are being integrated to ensure sustained performance and reliability during extended operation, a critical requirement for high-power microwave systems.

The system is designed as a versatile evaluation platform to study and quantify the lethality and damage potential of S-band HPM radiation against electronic systems.

This includes testing the resilience of communication equipment, sensors, and control systems that may be exposed to directed-energy threats in battlefield conditions. By providing a structured evaluation framework, SHIELD will help establish benchmarks for survivability and countermeasure development.

A notable feature of the system is its drone-mountable capability. This opens up possibilities for airborne deployment, enabling flexible testing scenarios and operational demonstrations.

Drone-mounted HPM systems are increasingly being studied worldwide as potential solutions to counter drone swarms and electronic threats, offering mobility and rapid deployment advantages.

Globally, high-power microwave weapons are considered part of the directed-energy arsenal, alongside high-energy lasers. Countries such as the United States, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom have invested heavily in this domain, recognising its potential to disable adversary electronics without kinetic destruction.

India’s pursuit of SHIELD reflects a strategic push to build indigenous directed-energy capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

The Technology Development Fund scheme has already supported several private defence firms and Start-Ups in developing niche technologies. By issuing this RFP, DRDO is signalling its intent to involve industry partners in building a critical evaluation infrastructure for directed-energy systems. 

This aligns with the broader defence modernisation program, which emphasises electronic warfare, non-kinetic weapons, and advanced counter-drone solutions.

The integration of GaN-based SSPA technology is particularly significant. Gallium Nitride devices offer superior efficiency compared to traditional silicon-based systems, enabling higher output power with reduced thermal stress. This makes them ideal for compact, scalable platforms such as SHIELD, which must balance high field strengths with operational practicality.

The SHIELD program is expected to contribute to India’s long-term roadmap for directed-energy weapons. By establishing a robust evaluation system, DRDO and its industry partners will be able to accelerate the transition from laboratory research to deployable systems.

This will also support the development of countermeasures, ensuring that India’s defence infrastructure remains resilient against emerging electromagnetic threats.

The issuance of this RFP marks a decisive step in India’s directed-energy journey. It reflects a growing recognition that future conflicts will not only be fought with missiles and guns but also with beams of energy capable of disabling adversary systems silently and efficiently.

SHIELD is poised to become a cornerstone in this evolving landscape.

Agencies