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British Army Successfully Tests a Radio Wave Weapon Capable of Neutralizing Drone Swarms.
On December 23, 2024, the British Army announced the successful testing of an innovative weapon designed to neutralize drone swarms using radio waves. Known as the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW), this system offers an effective and economical solution to modern aerial threats. This technological advancement represents a significant step forward in missile and air defense, enhancing national security while optimizing operational costs.
The RFDEW is designed to detect, track, and neutralize threats across land, air, and sea with near-instantaneous effects at distances of up to one kilometer, costing only 10 pence per shot (Picture source: British MoD)
The RFDEW is engineered to detect, track, and engage a variety of threats across land, air, and sea. It can neutralize targets at distances of up to one kilometer with near-instantaneous effect, at an estimated cost of just 10 pence per shot. This cost efficiency contrasts sharply with traditional missile-based defense systems, making it a complementary option for modern defense strategies. Unlike laser-based systems like the DragonFire, the RFDEW employs high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage the critical electronic components of targeted devices, such as drones, rendering them immobilized or causing them to crash.
This technological breakthrough is the result of a consortium led by Thales UK, in collaboration with QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v, and Horiba Mira. The project supports over 135 highly skilled jobs across the UK defense industry, demonstrating the government’s commitment to fostering sovereign technologies and reinforcing the foundations of national security. Additionally, the system's high level of automation allows for operation by a single person and deployment on military vehicles, such as the MAN SV, enhancing its operational mobility.
The first live demonstration of the RFDEW was conducted at a test range in Wales by the Royal Artillery’s Trials and Development Unit and the 7th Air Defence Group. The trials successfully targeted and neutralized uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), marking a significant milestone for the British Armed Forces. These tests explored various configurations, environments, and engagement scenarios, improving understanding of the technology’s operational potential.
The RFDEW’s development falls under the Team HERSA program, a joint initiative by the UK Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Dstl Program Lead Matt Cork highlighted the collaborative effort between defense experts and industry, while Nigel MacVean, Managing Director of Thales Integrated Airspace Solutions, emphasized the importance of continued research and development in this field, reflecting Thales’ long-standing involvement in directed energy technology.
These trials represent a key step in the UK’s efforts to enhance the future operational capabilities of its armed forces. The RFDEW demonstrates a precise, powerful, and cost-effective method to counter multiple aerial threats. As the trials progress, Team HERSA is working on refining the operational requirements, doctrine, and technology to optimize RFDEW systems for future missions.
With the rapid expansion of drone use in both civilian and military contexts, the development of weapons like the RFDEW holds strategic importance. Drones, widely accessible and versatile, are deployed for tasks ranging from surveillance to offensive operations, posing increasing security challenges. Recent incidents involving drones in illegal surveillance or coordinated attacks highlight the need for innovative solutions to effectively and affordably counter these threats.
RFDEWs meet this demand by using radio waves to disrupt the electronic components of drones, offering rapid and cost-efficient neutralization of drone swarms. Their versatility allows deployment on various platforms, including land, air, and sea, further enhancing their relevance against evolving threats. These systems stand out as vital tools for protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining technological superiority in modern defense scenarios.
Despite their advantages, RFDEWs face certain limitations, particularly against drones equipped with advanced technologies. For instance, drones using fiber-optic connections instead of radio links are less vulnerable to radio wave interference. Fiber optics, immune to electromagnetic disruptions, provide secure remote control resistant to RFDEW effects. Additionally, some sophisticated drones are equipped with anti-jamming systems or reinforced electronic components, reducing the effectiveness of RF-directed attacks. Furthermore, the system's limited range of approximately one kilometer could pose challenges in scenarios involving large-scale coordinated attacks or threats from high altitudes. These limitations underscore the importance of diversifying defense strategies to address the evolving technological landscape of aerial threats.