British soldiers have successful trialled for the first time a
game-changing weapon that can take down a swarm of drones using
radio waves for less than the cost of a pack of mince
pies.
The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) development
system can detect, track and engage a range of threats across
land, air and sea.
RFDEWs are capable of neutralising targets up to 1km away with
near instant effect and at an estimated cost of 10p per shot
fired, providing a cost-effective complement to traditional
missile-base air defence systems.
The RFDEW is different from Laser Directed Energy Weapons – such
as DragonFire - because it uses a radio frequency to disrupt
hostile threats, rather than a laser beam of light
energy.
The weapon uses high frequency waves to disrupt or damage
critical electronic components inside devices such as drones,
causing them to be immobilised or fall out of the sky. It can
also be used against threats on land and at sea.
The British Army successfully trialed a demonstrator version of
the RFDEW. The development system has been produced by a
consortium led by Thales UK and including sub-contractors
QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v and Horiba Mira and supports up to 135
high-skilled jobs in the UK.
This progress helps deliver on the Government's Plan for Change
by rapidly advancing technologies and building on the strong
foundation of national security.
Its high level of automation means the system can be operated by
a single person and could be mounted onto a military vehicle,
such as a MAN SV, to provide
mobility.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, MP,
said:
“The successful firing by the British soldiers of our Radio
Frequency Directed Energy Weapon is 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.
“This is demonstration of the UK remaining at the forefront
of directed energy weapons and developing a crucial advantage
against the emerging threats we face.”
A live firing trial was recently completed by the Army's Royal
Artillery Trials and Development Unit and 7 Air Defence Group at
a range in West Wales, where they successfully targeted and
engaged Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), in a first for the British
Armed Forces.
The user experimentation trials completed in recent months have
enabled Army air defence personnel to explore and exercise the
capability's potential in different configurations across a
variety of range environments, threat types and engagement
scenarios.
This activity follows the development process announced back in
May and delivered by Team HERSA - a joint enterprise between UK
MOD's Defence Equipment & Support and Defence Science and
Technology Laboratory
(Dstl).
Dstl Programme Lead, Matt Cork
said:
“Getting this technology into the hands of our service personnel
is hugely rewarding.
“Dstl has worked collaboratively with DE&S and industry which
has meant the rapid evolution of radio frequency
technology.”
Nigel MacVean, Managing Director, 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.”
This latest trial marks a pivotal moment in the UK's ongoing
efforts to enhance the future operational capabilities of the
Armed Forces and offers a precise, powerful, and cost-effective
means to defeat multiple aerial
threats.
The trials programme will continue to enable further development
and experimentation, while Team HERSA continues to work with
operators to develop RFDEW requirements, doctrine and technology,
shaping the next generation of mission-optimised
RFDEWs.
