GovWire

• Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons (RFDEW) can take down a swarm of drones for less than the cost of a pack of mince pies.

• Systems arecapable of hitting targets up to 1km away and costs just 10p per shot

• The programme supports more than 135 highly-skilled jobs across UK industry

British soldiers have successfully 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 Governments 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, Maria Eagle 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.

Its 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 remainingat 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 Armys 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 capabilitys 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 MODs 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 UKs 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 m

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