The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) announced the successful live trial of its Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW), a groundbreaking system designed to disable drone swarms using radio waves.
The trial, conducted by the Royal Artillery Trials and Development Unit and 7 Air Defence Group in West Wales, showcased the RFDEW’s ability to target and neutralize Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
The British Army has trialled a new radio frequency directed energy weapon (RFDEW) that uses high-power radio waves to disrupt and destroy the electronics of potential aerial threats, such as drones, from up to 1km away. pic.twitter.com/XCdkRRe3dJ
— RT (@RT_com) December 24, 2024
The system, developed by an MOD team known as Team Hersa, uses high-frequency radio waves to detect, track, and disable drones by disrupting their critical electronic components. It can neutralize threats up to 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) away.
Unlike traditional missile-based air defense systems, which can cost thousands per shot, the RFDEW operates at a fraction of the cost—approximately 10 pence ($0.13) per use. The system is highly automated, allowing operation by a single individual. It can be mounted on military vehicles for mobility and adaptability across land, air, and sea.
🇬🇧In the UK, radio frequency energy weapons are being developed to combat UAVs.
In Britain, a new universal system is being created called RFDEW (Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon), which is a radio frequency directed energy weapon.
RFDEW is capable of detecting, tracking… pic.twitter.com/1CSZemeFOF
— Authentic World Updates (@worldupdates245) May 21, 2024
The RFDEW is part of a broader U.K. effort to counter the rise of drone warfare, which has gained prominence in conflicts like the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The U.K.’s development of the RFDEW follows similar initiatives by other countries, including the U.S., which has tested a comparable microwave-based system called the Tactical High-power Operational Responder.
The Tactical High-power Operational Responder takes down swarms of dronespic.twitter.com/3hpdOifxsO
via @DigitalTrends #drones #uav #Military #safety@SpirosMargaris @enricomolinari @PawlowskiMario @Shi4Tech @FrRonconi @mvollmer1 @Nicochan33 @Hana_ElSayyed— Jeroen Bartelse (@JeroenBartelse) August 20, 2021
