Project MAHEM was DARPA’s attempt at destroying armor by using electromagnetism

The most common method to punch through armor is with an explosive that uses blast pressure to deform the armor’s metal. However, DARPA’s Project MAHEM sought to take out armor more efficiently by using electromagnetic fields to propel a munition at high velocity.

MAHEM, which stands for MAgneto Hydrodynamic Explosive Munition, was based off the concept of an explosively formed penetrator, or EFP. An EFP is traditionally a one-off weapon that uses a chemical explosive to destroy armor’s metal plates. Iraqi insurgents used homemade EFPs to punch through American armor. On their basis, EFPs are not particularly difficult to construct, but DARPA wanted to take the concept many steps forward.

A traditional anti-armor weapon, like an RPG, uses an explosive that propels a copper cone fast enough to punch through armor. This works, but is inefficient because so much of the explosive energy is lost from the sides and rear of the projectile.

To avoid that, MAHEM uses a Compressed Magnetic Flux Generator, which is an explosive charge that compresses a magnetic field and in turn creates a powerful pulse of electricity. The explosive is basically squeezing the magnetic field. This magnetic force is much more efficient than the air pressure created by an explosion.

That powerful pulse of electricity is funneled into a metal liner and the electromagnetic field shapes and accelerates the projectile into a high velocity aerodynamic slug. MAHEM aimed to propel the projectile at around 9,000 feet per second – in contrast, projectiles of traditional anti-armor systems travel at around 900 feet. MAHEM would not just hit the armor, but flow through it like a hot knife through butter.

Further, magnetism is more controllable than a chemical explosion. This has the benefit of allowing the weapon system to shape the metal projectile to deal with specific threats. For example, if you want to hit a tank, you need a long thin spear that cut through armor; whereas, if you want to punch through concrete, sandbags, and similar barriers, a wider slug is the better choice.

Additionally, the extreme speed of DARPA’s projectile would make it possible to defeat Hard-Kill Active Protection Systems. These systems function a bit like a missile defense shield. When the radar detects an incoming rocket a computer cam calculate the speed and trajectory of the round and fire a counter munition to hit the rocket mid-air. However, APS systems would not have time to counter MAHEM’s speed, and even if they could, it would be unlikely to make a difference – it would be as throwing a rock at a train.

However, ccording to available, nonclassified information, MAHEM units are currently heavy and bulky due to the electronics required to time the electric pulse with the explosion. So, these systems will likely be better used by armor forces and as fixed anti-armor guns. A future where these systems could be used in conjunction with loitering munitions would make being a tanker a nightmare.

According to DARPA, the project concluded in 2008, however there have not been available information about it since.

Feature Image: An Infantryman assigned to the 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division fires an AT4 at an enemy target during a combined live fire exercise in Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria on November 16th, 2023. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Trevares Johnson)

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