The British Army has tested for the first time an innovative radio frequency directed energy (RFDEW) system . This development, under Project Ealing , aims to provide the British armed forces with a tool to detect and neutralise swarms of enemy drones.
Testing took place at ranges in Wales and involved personnel from the Royal Artillery's Test and Development Unit and 7th Air Defence Group .
UK Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle said it was a “potentially game-changing sovereign weapon” for the country. She highlighted the collaboration between defence experts and industries , emphasising that the UK continues to lead the way in the development of directed energy weapons .
According to the British Ministry of Defence , the RFDEW has the ability to neutralise targets up to one kilometre away and can do so almost immediately upon detection.
This technology is different from other systems , such as DragonFire , which uses a laser beam to shoot down drones . Instead, RFDEW uses radio waves to interfere with drones' electronic systems , opting for a less expensive and more efficient method. In fact, the cost per shot is estimated at just 10 pence, about 12 US cents.
The system has also proven to be versatile , as it can be mounted on a MAN SV vehicle, thus allowing for greater mobility. A single soldier can operate the RFDEW , which is a significant operational advantage .
“ This demonstrates that the UK remains at the forefront of directed energy weapons and is developing a crucial advantage against the emerging threats we face ,” said Maria Eagle .
He added: “ It is fantastic to see defence experts and industry working together to put cutting-edge equipment into the hands of our Armed Forces .”
The development of the RFDEW system is due to the joint work of an industrial consortium led by Thales UK , together with the companies QinetiQ , Teledyne e2v and Horiba Mira .
It also has the support of the Defense Team and Support of the Ministry of Defense and the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
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