Particle.news
Download on the App Store
10 ARTICLES
·
last wk.

UK Trials Radio Wave Weapon That Neutralizes Drone Swarms

The Ministry of Defence successfully tested a Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon capable of disabling over 100 drones in its largest counter-swarm exercise to date.

Image
A Ukrainian drone operator who gave the name Artem pilots an attack drone, as commander Andrii looks on (left), as Ukrainian soldiers of the 108th Territorial Defense Brigade test fly a Ukrainian-made Vampire drone near the southern frontline on February 21, 2024 in an unspecified area of Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region.
Image

Overview

  • The UK’s Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) neutralized over 100 drones during trials in West Wales, marking a major milestone in counter-drone technology.
  • The RF DEW uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt drones’ electronic components, causing them to crash or malfunction and proving effective against swarm tactics.
  • This groundbreaking trial is the largest counter-drone swarm exercise conducted by the British Army, including the successful defeat of two swarms in a single engagement.
  • The government has invested over £40 million in RF DEW development, supporting 135 jobs in Northern Ireland and the South East of England, and positioning the technology as a cost-effective complement to traditional missile defenses.
  • With per-shot costs under 10p, the RF DEW offers a scalable and sustainable solution to address the rising threat of drone swarms, which have seen increased use in conflicts like Ukraine.