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British Army tests directed-energy weapon system from Project Ealing.
The British Army has initiated trials of a new mobile-directed-energy system as part of Project Ealing, as reported by Gabriele Molinelli on X (Twitter). This project employs advanced radio frequency technology to interfere with electronic circuits, aiming to provide a strategic countermeasure against drone threats. Additionally, the British Army plans to deploy laser weapons by 2027 as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its capabilities.
Project EALING has unveiled a new radiofrequency "cannon" for the British Armed Forces, now mounted on a smaller, detachable HX60 truck instead of the originally planned HX77. (Picture source: British MoD)
The core component of Project Ealing, the radio frequency cannon, has been designed to detect, track, and engage a variety of targets across air, land, and sea domains. The technology, which was showcased with the 7th Air Defence Group at Thorney Island, demonstrates a significant departure from initial concepts, featuring a more compact design mounted on an HX60 truck, offering improved deployability and maneuverability.
The system's capability extends to disrupting multiple drones simultaneously through powerful radio frequency transmissions. Similar in concept to the Epirus LEONIDAS system used by the U.S. Army, Ealing’s technology also includes its own detection sensors, enhancing its operational independence.
Matt Cork, the program manager at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) at Porton Down, described how the system operates by generating an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) that couples with electronic circuits, overloads them, and switches them off. This non-lethal approach is designed to temporarily disable electronic systems without causing permanent damage.
The trials under Project Ealing mark the Ministry of Defence's first user experimentation with electromagnetic pulse technology. Cork noted that they are exploring its potential to protect areas or moving convoys from explosive-laden drones, which pose a significant threat in modern conflicts.
While the specific range and wavelengths of the weapon remain classified, the technology uses commercially available components that were initially developed to disable boat motors. The system’s versatility allows for precise targeting or adjustment to broader frequencies to address multiple threats simultaneously.
This summer, the 7th Air Defence Group will begin field testing the EMP technology, which will be assessed alongside the DragonFire laser system scheduled for deployment in September. These evaluations will help determine the practical applications and possible enhancements for both technologies.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps reflected on the broader implications of radio frequency weapons, noting the pivotal role such technologies could play in future conflicts, especially considering the extensive use of electronic warfare observed in Ukraine. He mentioned that the ability to conduct operations in radio wave-dominated environments will be crucial.