The United Kingdom’s military is in the process of developing an advanced new weapon designed to neutralize drones by utilizing radio waves.
Dubbed the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW), its objective is to disrupt or disable the critical electrical systems of enemy drones and vehicles, causing them to either halt in their tracks or plummet from the sky.
With a current range of up to 1 kilometer, with potential for expansion in the future, the RFDEW can be deployed across various terrains – land, air, and sea.
This development comes in the wake of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s commitment to increase defense spending in the UK to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030.
Market-wise, the RFDEW is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to traditional missiles, boasting an estimated cost of just 10p per radio wave shot. Its potential to counteract threatening drone swarms is highlighted.
The system, adaptable for installation on diverse military platforms, emits radio frequency energy pulses in a focused beam, capable of targeting multiple threats simultaneously or sequentially. Its power source is mobile.
James Cartlidge, Minister of Defence Procurement, emphasized the UK’s prowess in science and technology, asserting that innovations like the RFDEW enhance military effectiveness and maintain the nation’s leadership in military technology.
Citing the lessons learned from conflicts like Ukraine, where unmanned systems have played a pivotal role, Cartlidge emphasized the necessity of being able to defend against such technologies. This aligns with the Defense Drone Strategy aimed at ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of military advancements.
Testing of the RFDEW will be conducted extensively over the summer by British soldiers. Project Hersa, a collaborative effort between the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), and UK industry partners, is spearheading its development.
Paul Hollinshead, CEO of DSTL, underscored the transformative impact of these systems, heralding them as instrumental in providing the UK armed forces with a decisive edge, ultimately safeguarding lives and thwarting imminent threats.
