Weapon that zaps drones from sky fired by British soldiers

A weapon that zaps enemy drones out of the sky using radio waves has been fired by British soldiers for the first time.

The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) can detect, track and engage a range of threats across land, air and sea.

The drone-killer is capable of neutralising targets up to 1,000 yards away with near instant effect.

Each shot fired costs just 10p, providing a cost-effective complement to traditional missile-based air defence systems. A high level of automation means the system can be operated by a single person and mounted on a military vehicle.

At the start of this year the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced that a revolutionary £10-a-shot high-powered laser beam called DragonFire had been successfully fired for the first time.

Laser-directed energy weapons can engage targets at the speed of light and cut through them with use an intense beam.

The RFDEW, however, uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside devices such as drones, causing them to be immobilised or fall from the sky.

It can be used against threats on land or at sea.

The live-firing trial of the RFDEW development system was completed recently by the Army’s Royal Artillery Trials and Development Unit and 7 Air Defence Group at a range in West Wales.

The MoD said the trials had enabled Army air defence personnel to explore the weapon’s potential in different configurations of environment, threat type and engagement scenario.

Last month, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, announced that the British Army’s main drone system was to be axed, along with other “outdated” military kit.

Defence sources insisted the Army needed to find “better” systems as the technology on the battlefield is constantly advancing.

Drones have dominated the war in Ukraine, with defence sources repeatedly speaking of the lessons learnt from Putin’s war and how it has changed the battle space.

In November, General Sir Roly Walker, the Chief of the General Staff, said there was a time to accept that a platform needed to be updated.

He said: “Warfare is changing and we need to think and act differently, including having the courage to retire the legacy with dignity and respect when the time is right.”

He added that “all warhorses must go out to pasture at some stage, often because we’ve found a faster, better, and cheaper way”.

‘Potentially game-changing’

Maria Eagle, minister for defence procurement and industry, called the successful firing of the RFDEW “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,” she said.

“This is a demonstration of the UK remaining at the forefront of directed energy weapons and developing a crucial advantage against the emerging threats we face.”

The MoD said the latest trial was a pivotal moment in the UK’s ongoing efforts to enhance the future operational capabilities of the Armed Forces. It said the weapon offered a precise, powerful, and cost-effective means to defeat multiple aerial threats.

The MoD added that the most recent progress would help deliver the Government’s plan for change by rapidly advancing technologies.

After a successful first firing by soldiers, the trials programme will continue to enable further development and experimentation.

The system was produced by a consortium led by Thales UK including sub-contractors QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v and Horiba Mira and has supported up to 135 high-skilled jobs in the UK.

Nigel MacVean, managing director of Thales IAS, 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.”

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