The British Army has successfully conducted trials of a new UK-made Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) capable of neutralizing multiple drones simultaneously.
In what is described as the largest counter-drone swarm exercise the British Army has ever conducted, tests at a weapons range in West Wales demonstrated the system’s ability to track, target, and defeat drone swarms with near-instant impact.
The RF DEW system uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside drones, causing them to crash or malfunction.
Unlike conventional anti-drone systems that may rely on jamming communication signals, the RF DEW can defeat airborne targets resistant to traditional electronic warfare methods.
Technical specifications of the system include:
- Range capability of up to 1 kilometres (0.62 miles)
- Ability to detect, track and engage multiple targets simultaneously
- Effectiveness against ground, sea, and air targets
- Near-instant impact on electronic systems
- Operational capability with a single operator due to extensive automation
- Platform versatility allows mounting on various vehicles or static positions
The system’s operational cost is particularly significant—at approximately 10p per shot fired, it represents a highly cost-effective alternative to conventional missile-based defence systems, which can cost millions of pounds per unit.
Inside the RF DEW Technology
The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon represents an engineering advancement in electronic warfare capabilities. The system generates and focuses high-power radio frequency energy toward target drones, which induces electrical currents in their electronic circuits.
This process, known as electromagnetic coupling, creates several effects:
- Circuit Disruption: The induced currents can exceed the tolerance thresholds of microelectronic components
- Signal Interference: Critical control systems become overwhelmed with noise
- Thermal Overload: Key components may experience rapid heating, leading to failure
Unlike kinetic anti-drone systems, the RF DEW doesn’t require physical ammunition, allowing for continuous operation as long as power is available. The engineering challenge lies in generating sufficient power density at the target location while maintaining precise beam focusing at operational distances.
The system likely incorporates phased array technology to electronically steer the beam without mechanical movement, allowing for rapid target switching – a critical requirement when engaging multiple drones simultaneously.
Successful Field Testing
The recent trials saw the system take down two drone swarms in a single engagement. Across all tests, the RF DEW tracked, engaged, and defeated more than 100 drones. Sergeant Mayers, a Senior Remotely-Piloted Air Systems Operator from 106 Regiment Royal Artillery, became the first British soldier to bring down drones using the radiofrequency weapon during the trials.
“RF DEW is an exciting concept,” Sgt Mayers said after the tests. “We found the demonstrator quick to learn and easy to use. With improvements on range and power, which could come with further development, this would be a great asset to Layered Air Defence.”
The successful demonstration follows earlier field testing conducted in December 2024 by the British Army’s 7th Air Defence Group. This progression of testing indicates steady advancement in the system’s readiness for potential operational deployment.
Team Hersa, a collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), has delivered the RF DEW project. The demonstrator itself was developed by an industry consortium led by Thales UK, which also includes QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v, and Horiba Mira.
The UK Government has invested over £40 million in RF DEW research and development. This investment supports approximately 135 highly skilled jobs – around 100 engineering and manufacturing positions at Thales in Northern Ireland and 30-35 supply chain jobs in Chelmsford, Essex.
“Thales continues to be at the forefront of this pioneering technology, and we are proud to continue the research and development in this sector alongside our partners in Government,” said Nigel MacVean, Managing Director of Thales Integrated Airspace-protection Systems.
The development of RF DEW systems comes at a critical time as drone warfare becomes increasingly prevalent in modern conflicts. UK Defence Intelligence estimates that Ukraine had to defend against attacks from more than 18,000 drones in 2024 alone, highlighting the growing need for effective counter-drone capabilities.
Beyond military applications, the RF DEW could potentially help protect sensitive civilian infrastructure. The system could assist in preventing disruption at airports from unidentified drones and secure other critical sites where drone intrusions present security concerns.
The project aligns with the UK government’s Defence Industrial Strategy and the recent announcement to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027. As part of this strategy, the Ministry of Defence plans to allocate at least 10% of equipment procurement spending on novel technologies from 2025-26.
If the RF DEW system progresses to operational service, it will complement traditional missile-based air defence systems, offering a cost-effective solution for countering the growing drone threat. The current development focus includes extending the effective range beyond the 1-kilometre limitation and increasing power output.
As warfare continues to evolve with the increasing use of unmanned systems, directed energy weapons like the RF DEW represent an engineering response to changing battlefield dynamics. If further tests prove successful, this British-developed technology could become an integral component of future air defence systems, offering an efficient counter to the proliferation of drone technology in modern conflicts.
TLDR:
- British Army successfully tested a new Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) against drone swarms
- The system uses radio waves to turn off drone electronics at up to 1km range
- Each shot costs only 10p, making it vastly more cost-effective than missile systems
- The weapon defeated over 100 drones in trials, including taking down two swarms simultaneously
- Development supports 135 high-skilled jobs across the UK
