The US Army has tested its cutting-edge microwave weapons in the Philippines for the first time, marking a major show of force as tensions with China continue.
The trial featured the Integrated Fires Protection Capability–High-Powered Microwave (IFPC-HPM) and the Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), both deployed to the Philippines’ western coast, facing the South China Sea.
Capt. Bray McCollum, a US Army battery commander, said the test demonstrated the systems’ ability to counter drone swarms in a tropical environment. It also provided joint training with the US Marine Corps on short-range air defense tactics.
Members of the Philippine Air Force joined the exercise as part of an ongoing subject matter expert exchange program aimed at boosting interoperability and shared operational know-how.
Strengthening Ties
This marks the first deployment of both microwave systems, not just in the Philippines, but anywhere in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to US officials, the exercise reinforces the US-Philippine alliance by enhancing combined military cooperation and advancing a shared commitment to a “free and open” Indo-Pacific.
The IFPC-HPM uses high-powered microwave bursts to disrupt or disable drones, while FS-LIDS provides a fixed-site defense against low-flying unmanned aerial threats.
Together, they form a non-kinetic, layered defense system tailored for modern drone warfare.
“This is a great opportunity to show our Philippine allies the cutting-edge capabilities that the US Army has in development,” McCollum said. “This training demonstrates our commitment to strengthening our ties with our Indo-Pacific allies and partners.”
Data from the exercise will be analyzed to refine counter-drone tactics and inform future requirements for microwave weapons.
