The British Army has successfully conducted tests on a Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) demonstrator, capable of neutralizing swarms of drones through the use of radio waves.
A live firing trial was completed by the British Army’s Royal Artillery Trials and Development Unit and 7 Air Defence Group at Manorbier range in West Wales, where they successfully targeted and engaged drones.
The RFDEW was created as part of Project Ealing and has been developed by a Thales UK-led consortium under a contract awarded by Team HERSA, the joint enterprise between Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
The system uses high-frequency waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside devices such as drones, causing them to be immobilised or fall out of the sky. It is designed to identify, monitor, and confront various threats across terrestrial, aerial, and maritime domains.
RFDEWs are capable of neutralising targets up to 1km away with near instant effect and at an estimated energy cost of less than 10p per shot fired, could provide a cost-effective complement to traditional missile-base air defence systems in future.
The demonstrator tested will not be deployed for operational use, however, the insights, expertise, and data acquired from this year’s experiments will guide future directed energy needs for the United Kingdom. Its advanced automation allows for operation by a single individual, and it has the potential to be installed on a military vehicle, such as a MAN SV, enhancing its mobility.
A spokesman for DE&S’ RF DEW team said: “The DEW team are working closely with UK Armed Forces, Dstl and industry partners, using engineering, management and commercial expertise to deliver directed energy weapons into service and secure a crucial advantage against emerging threats.”
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said: “The successful firing by the British soldiers of our Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon is another step forward for a potentially game-changing sovereign weapon for the UK.”
“It’s great to see defence experts and industry working collaboratively to put cutting-edge equipment in the hands of our Armed Forces.”
Nigel MacVean, MD of Thales Integrated Airspace-protection Systems, said: “I am thrilled with the successful RFDEW firing trials.”
“Thales has been at the forefront of this pioneering technology for over 40 years and our continued research and development in this sector, along with our partners in Government, paves the way for a strong future in this field.”
