British Army Tests Direct Energy Weapon against Drones

The British Army has tested a radio frequency directed energy weapon (RFDEW) capable of neutralizing drone swarms at a cost of approximately 10p per shot.

The RFDEW, trialed by the Royal Artillery Trials and Development Unit and 7 Air Defence Group in Wales, is designed to target land, air, and sea threats over one kilometer away. Unlike laser systems such as DragonFire, it employs high-frequency radio waves to disable critical electronic components in devices like drones.

The system proved effective during tests, where troops targeted and engaged uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The RFDEW can be mounted on military vehicles, such as the MAN SV, similar to how the HELWS was previously integrated with a Wolfhound armored vehicle.

As anti-drone warfare becomes a priority, the British Army has also explored solutions like the SMASH X4 sighting system, which assists soldiers in shooting down drones from the ground.