The UK’s armed forces are developing a revolutionary weapon that uses radio waves to neutralize drones. The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) is designed to disrupt or
damage the critical electronic components of enemy vehicles and drones, causing them to either halt or crash.
Versatile and Cost-Effective
Capable of deployment across land, air, and sea, the RFDEW has an effective range of up to one kilometer, with potential for future extensions. At an estimated cost of just 0.10 pounds (0.12 dollars) per shot, this technology offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional missiles, making it ideal for tackling dangerous drone swarms.
How It Works
The RFDEW generates pulses of radio frequency energy, which can be directed at a single target or spread across multiple targets. This energy beam can be mounted on various military vehicles, enhancing the flexibility and lethality of UK forces.
Government Commitment
The announcement of this new weapon follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to increase UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. Minister of State for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge, highlighted the importance of such innovations: “Developments like RFDEW not only make our personnel more lethal and better protected on the battlefield but also keep the UK a world leader in innovative military kits.”
Strategic Importance
The RFDEW technology is part of the UK’s Defence Drone Strategy, aimed at maintaining a competitive edge in modern warfare. “The war in Ukraine has shown us the importance of deploying uncrewed systems, but we must be able to defend against them too,” Cartlidge added.
Development and Testing
A joint team from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), along with UK industry partners under Project Hersa, is developing the RFDEW. Extensive testing with British soldiers is scheduled for the summer.
DSTL Chief Executive Paul Hollinshead emphasized the significance of this development: “These game-changing systems will deliver decisive operational advantage to the UK armed forces, saving lives and defeating deadly threats. World-class capabilities such as this are only possible because of decades of research, expertise, and investment in science and technology at DSTL and our partners in the UK industry.”
The new weapon system represents a significant leap forward in the UK's defense capabilities, promising enhanced security and operational efficiency on the battlefield. Photo by Don McCullough from Santa Rosa, CA, USA, Wikimedia commons.