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UK Officially Unveils its New Radio Frequency Cannon Designed to Counter Drone Swarms.
On May 16, 2024, the British government announced a notable development in defense technology: a Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) designed to effectively counter drone swarms and disable enemy electronics, as part of Project Ealing. This announcement coincides with a planned increase in the defense budget, paving the way for substantial enhancements in the nation's military capabilities amid evolving technological warfare.
Dstl Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon mounted on British HX60 Military Truck (Picture source: Twitter Gabriele Molinelli)
Defense Procurement Minister James Cartlidge emphasized the strategic importance of this innovation, stating, "Developments like the RFDEW not only make our personnel more lethal and better protected on the battlefield but also ensure the UK's status as a global leader in innovative military equipment.
"The RFDEW system operates by emitting targeted radio waves that disrupt the electronic components of drones and other enemy devices, rendering them inoperative. This technology has an effective range of one kilometer, with ongoing efforts to extend this range further. Notably, the system's cost efficiency is a major advantage, with each activation costing only 10 pence, providing a very economical solution compared to traditional missile systems.
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.
Dstl Chief Executive Paul Hollinshead highlighted the potential impact of the RFDEW, "These revolutionary systems will give our armed forces a decisive operational advantage, saving lives and neutralizing serious threats." Developed under Project Hersa through a collaboration between the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S); and the UK industry, the system is now progressing through rigorous field testing.
With the ability to be mounted on various military vehicles and powered by a mobile source, the RFDEW can fire multiple sequenced shots or a broad beam to simultaneously engage multiple targets. This technology is poised to become a cornerstone in the UK's strategy to defend against unmanned systems, echoing the necessity highlighted by recent global conflicts.
As a reminder, the costs associated with missiles used to destroy enemy drones are exceptionally high, ranging from one to two million pounds per launch. This expenditure is disproportionate compared to the cost of the target, a simple drone valued at around 20,000 dollars. Therefore, for every dollar spent by an attacker, the defenders must spend between 63 and 126 dollars. In this context, the RFDEW system was developed to significantly reduce this expense ratio. This system lowers the cost of each shot to just 13 cents, significantly influencing the economics of warfare and impacting enemy strategies. Indeed, with the RFDEW, an assailant ends up spending 150,000 times more than the cost of their target to carry out an attack.