You may have watched a science fiction movie once where some unseen aircraft flying over has the power to disrupt or completely knock out all electronics leaving the city below in darkness without harming anyone.

In real life, Boeing actually has such a weapon and has tested it showing the potential. It is called CHAMP or Counter-electronics High-powered Microwave Advanced Missile Project.

While Boeing won’t say much about what CHAMP looks like or specifically how it works they were willing to say that indeed it was tested and does work. The US Air Force wanted an electromagnetic pulse flying weapon that could take out enemy radar systems and leave specific areas in a blackout condition.

Boeing was tasked with the development and back in 2012 over a Utah test range CHAMP was flown. While the exact results of the test were not released to the public, jubilant Boeing project managers proclaimed the test a huge success.

During the test, the CHAMP missile navigated a pre-programmed flight plan and emitted bursts of high-powered energy, effectively knocking out the target’s data and electronic subsystems. CHAMP allows for selective high-frequency radio wave strikes against numerous targets during a single mission.

“This technology marks a new era in modern-day warfare,” said Keith Coleman, CHAMP program manager for Boeing Phantom Works. “In the near future, this technology may be used to render an enemy’s electronic and data systems useless even before the first troops or aircraft arrive.” – Boeing

CHAMP’s unique ability to turn on and off the radiation pulses multiple times so as to target specific installations and areas as desired make it groundbreaking technology. The idea that one CHAMP missile could be launched into a hostile area and take out the enemies radar and electronic abilities before aircraft and troops enter is a huge advantage for the US military.

Launched from the wing of a host aircraft at altitude the CHAMP missile took out several electronic targets and then self-destructed over the Utah desert during the test flight. There have been reports of other aerospace companies working on similar projects for the Pentagon.

Featured Image from Boeing Video Screenshot