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How UK Is Preparing for Drone Warfare with Its RapidDestroyer Microwave Weapon.
The United Kingdom has taken a step in countering drone threats with the successful testing of RapidDestroyer, a high-power microwave weapon developed by a consortium led by Thales. In a context marked by the rapid proliferation of low-cost, easily produced drones, as illustrated by the war in Ukraine, this technology aims to neutralize entire swarms at low cost by emitting radio waves that disrupt or destroy their electronic systems. The trials reported by the Financial Times, conducted by the UK Ministry of Defence in Wales, succeeded in neutralizing more than 100 drones, including two swarms of eight units each, confirming the effectiveness of a system that could reshape air defence priorities.
The RapidDestroyer system can also be integrated into a broader air defence network, with components tailored to address other threats, such as aircraft and missiles. (Picture source: UK MoD)
Now officially designated as the RFDEW (Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon), the system is engineered to detect, track, and engage various threats across land, air, and sea. It can neutralize targets at distances of up to one kilometre with near-instantaneous effect, at a cost estimated at just ten pence per shot. This cost-efficiency stands in stark contrast with traditional missile-based defence systems, positioning the RFDEW as a complementary solution in modern defence strategies. Unlike laser-based systems such as DragonFire, the RFDEW relies on high-frequency radio waves to interfere with or damage critical electronic components in targets such as drones, disabling them or causing them to crash.
The technology operates by emitting a focused microwave beam powerful enough to damage the internal electronics of enemy drones. The beam can be maintained continuously as long as power supply is ensured, offering immediate response capability. The microwaves used fall between radio and infrared on the electromagnetic spectrum, enabling a targeted effect without kinetic impact.
The RapidDestroyer system can also be integrated into a broader air defence network, with components tailored to address other threats, such as aircraft and missiles. It falls under the category of directed energy weapons, which use concentrated electromagnetic or particle energy to disable targets, similar to the DragonFire laser system.
This technological development is the result of a programme led by Thales UK in partnership with QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v, and Horiba Mira. It supports over 135 highly skilled jobs within the UK defence sector, reflecting the government’s focus on maintaining sovereign technological capabilities and reinforcing national security infrastructure. The high degree of automation allows the system to be operated by a single person and deployed on military vehicles such as the MAN SV, increasing its operational flexibility.
The first live-fire demonstration of the RFDEW took place at a test range in Wales, conducted by the Royal Artillery Trials and Development Unit and the 7th Air Defence Group. These trials successfully engaged and neutralized multiple uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), marking a notable milestone for the British Armed Forces. The tests explored various configurations and environmental conditions to assess the system’s performance and better understand its operational potential.
RFDEW development falls under the Team HERSA programme, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Matt Cork, programme lead at Dstl, highlighted the collaborative effort between military experts and industry. Nigel MacVean, Managing Director at Thales Integrated Airspace Solutions, emphasised the importance of continued research in directed energy technologies, building on Thales’ long-term involvement in the field.
The trials represent a key stage in the UK's broader objective of strengthening its armed forces’ operational capabilities. The RFDEW offers a precise, scalable, and low-cost method of countering aerial threats. As testing continues, Team HERSA is refining the operational requirements, deployment doctrines, and technical specifications needed to optimize future deployments of RFDEW systems.
Given the increasing use of drones in both civilian and military environments, systems like the RFDEW hold strategic value. Drones are widely used for reconnaissance and offensive missions, posing growing security challenges. Recent incidents involving the illegal use of drones for surveillance or in coordinated attacks underscore the urgency of finding effective and affordable countermeasures.
RFDEWs meet this demand by using radio frequency energy to disrupt drone electronics, allowing for rapid and cost-effective neutralization of swarms. Their adaptability makes them suitable for deployment across various platforms—land-based, naval, and airborne—reinforcing their role in responding to evolving threats. These systems provide a practical means of protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining a technological edge in modern defence scenarios.
Despite their utility, RFDEWs face technical limitations. Drones equipped with advanced systems, such as fibre-optic control links, are less susceptible to radio interference. Fibre optics, immune to electromagnetic disruption, offer secure control capabilities that reduce RFDEW effectiveness. Additionally, some drones incorporate anti-jamming technologies or hardened electronics, which can diminish the impact of microwave-based attacks. The RFDEW’s limited range of approximately one kilometre may also restrict its effectiveness in high-altitude engagements or large-scale coordinated attacks. These constraints point to the need for diversified defence approaches that address a range of technological challenges.
Integrating the RFDEW into a layered air defence architecture could enhance the UK's ability to counter saturation attacks. When paired with systems like Sky Sabre or NATO-standard Patriot batteries, the RFDEW offers a low-cost method to intercept low-value threats, preserving more expensive assets for critical missions.
Strategically, the deployment of RapidDestroyer signals a shift in the UK's posture toward modern aerial threats. By reducing the economic incentive of low-cost drone attacks, the UK aims to recalibrate the dynamics of asymmetric warfare while contributing to the collective defence capabilities of NATO. However, the increasing availability of such technologies also raises concerns. If acquired by non-state actors or authoritarian regimes, directed energy weapons could be misused to target civilian infrastructure or suppress dissent in urban settings where military and civilian systems coexist.
The successful development and demonstration of RapidDestroyer reflect the UK's ongoing adaptation to changing threat landscapes. It illustrates a pragmatic effort to develop efficient and affordable technologies suited to the realities of today’s battlefields, where unmanned aerial systems have become a central feature. As part of this evolution, RFDEW systems may define a new phase in the future of air defence.