The British Army has tested a new UK-made radiofrequency directed energy weapon (RF DEW) system against drone swarms in the country’s largest trial of its kind.
UK troops conducted the test at a weapons range in West Wales, where the system shot down two drone swarms in a single engagement.
Across all trials, it tracked, engaged, and defeated more than 100 drones.
Team Hersa, a group from Defence Equipment & Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, led the project, while Thales UK developed the system under a 40 million pounds ($50 million) government investment.
“RF DEW is an exciting concept. We found the demonstrator quick to learn and easy to use. With improvements on range and power, which could come with further development, this would be a great asset to layered air defense,” stated Sgt Mayers of the UK’s 106 Regiment Royal Artillery.
RF DEW Features
The RF DEW system uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage a drone’s internal electronics, causing it to crash or malfunction.
With a range of up to 1 kilometer (0.6 miles), it can engage airborne targets that are resistant to traditional jamming methods.
Each shot costs around 0.10 pounds ($0.13), making it a cost-effective option when paired with conventional missile-based air defense, the UK government emphasized.
The system can strike multiple targets simultaneously with near-instant effect, making it well-suited for defending sensitive locations such as military bases and airports from unidentified or hostile drones.
