IRIA News

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British soldiers successfully used a new radio wave weapon to neutralize drone swarms in a West Wales trial, marking the first military use of the UK’s Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW).

The trial was the largest counter-drone swarm exercise ever conducted by the British Army. It involved over 100 drones being tracked, engaged, and defeated, proving the effectiveness of the UK-made, invisible radio wave technology.

According to the British Ministry of Defense, the new system would play a pivotal role in the future of defense, offering an innovative and cost-effective way to protect against the growing threat of drone swarms, which have increasingly been used in frontline combat, especially in Ukraine.

Unmatched precision and cost effectiveness

The RF DEW system uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage the critical electronic components inside drones. This causes the drones to crash or malfunction, rendering them useless in a matter of seconds.

The radiofrequency weapon can defeat multiple airborne targets simultaneously, a crucial capability given the increasing threat posed by drone swarms. What sets the RF DEW apart is its ability to neutralize these threats at ranges of up to 1 kilometer, a feature that allows it to engage drone swarms before they can inflict harm.

The weapon operates at an estimated cost of just 10 cents per shot, making it an incredibly cost-effective alternative to traditional missile-based air defense systems. If further developed and integrated into operational service, the RF DEW could significantly reduce the cost of defending against airborne threats, providing a more economical solution for protecting national security.

British innovation.

The successful trial has been hailed as a major achievement for British innovation. The UK government has already invested more than $53 million in the research and development of RF DEW technology. This investment has not only supported the development of the weapon system itself but has also created and sustained over 135 highly skilled jobs across the UK, including in Northern Ireland and the South-East of England.

Minister for Defense Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, emphasized the importance of this project as a prime example of British technological expertise. “This significant experiment exemplifies the strength of British innovation, driven by our home-grown industry, technology firms, and scientific talent,” said Eagle.

“We continue to strengthen our defense sector, adding more cutting-edge capabilities to keep the UK secure at home and strong abroad, while making defense an engine for growth across our towns and cities.”

The RF DEW development is also aligned with the UK’s broader defense strategy. The government’s Plan for Change aims to increase the proportion of the Ministry of Defense’s (MOD) equipment procurement budget spent on novel technologies, with a target of at least 10% from 2025-26. This initiative is part of a broader push to modernize the UK’s defense capabilities, particularly in response to the evolving nature of warfare, where unmanned aerial systems (UAS), such as drones, are becoming increasingly prevalent.

The role of Team Hersa and Thales UK

The RF DEW system has been developed by a collaborative effort between Team Hersa, a partnership between Defense Equipment & Support and the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), and a consortium of industry partners led by Thales UK. The project has not only showcased the power of British collaboration but also highlighted the vital role played by the UK’s defense and technology sectors in addressing emerging threats.

Thales UK, a leading defense technology company, has been at the forefront of the RF DEW development. Nigel MacVean, Managing Director of Thales Integrated Airspace-protection Systems, praised the team’s efforts in the project. “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,” MacVean stated.

The RF DEW demonstrator has proven capable of taking down multiple drones in a single engagement, including instances where two drone swarms were neutralized at once. These successful demonstrations serve as a testament to the potential of the RF DEW system to counter the growing menace of drone swarms in military conflicts, as well as in domestic security contexts.

Rise of drone and counter-drone systems in modern warfare

The rise of drones as a weapon in modern warfare has shifted the landscape of military defense. In Ukraine, drone swarms have been used increasingly in frontline combat, with UK Defense Intelligence estimating that over 18,000 drone attacks were defended against last year alone. As these technologies continue to evolve, the need for advanced countermeasures has become more urgent.

Beyond military applications, RF DEW technology could also have a significant role to play in domestic security, such as protecting critical infrastructure like defense bases or airports from drone threats. The system’s ability to neutralize drones without causing collateral damage or destruction to surrounding infrastructure makes it an ideal tool for ensuring security in sensitive areas.

Sgt Mayers, a Senior Remotely-Piloted Air Systems Operator from the 106 Regiment Royal Artillery, became the first British soldier to bring down drones using the RF DEW weapon. Mayers remarked, “RF DEW is an exciting concept. 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 Defense.”

The future of RF DEW technology

The RF DEW system is still in the development phase, but its success in these trials has laid the groundwork for further advancements. With continued investment and refinement, the weapon could become a critical component of the UK’s defense arsenal, offering a powerful new tool for neutralizing drone threats.

As part of its commitment to the Defense Industrial Strategy, the UK government is working closely with a range of industry partners to ensure that RF DEW technology continues to evolve, ultimately delivering enhanced capabilities for UK forces. The development of this technology not only strengthens the country’s defense capabilities but also supports economic growth, creating highly skilled jobs and encouraging innovation within the UK’s defense sector.

The RF DEW system is an exciting glimpse into the future of defense technology, and as the trials continue, it holds the promise of revolutionizing the way the UK and its allies defend against emerging threats in the age of drones.