UK Army Trials Radio Wave Weapon Against Drone Swarms

The British Army has successfully tested a new UK-developed radiofrequency directed energy weapon (RF DEW) capable of taking down swarms of drones, marking the largest counter-drone swarm exercise in its history. The trials, conducted at a weapons range in west Wales, demonstrated that the RF DEW can neutralize multiple drones simultaneously and almost instantly by using high-frequency radio waves to disrupt their electronic components. Over 100 drones were tracked, engaged, and defeated during the tests, including instances where two swarms were downed in a single engagement. The weapon operates at a cost of just 10p per shot, offering a highly cost-effective alternative to traditional missile-based air defense systems and is effective against threats immune to conventional electronic jamming. The UK government has invested more than £40 million in RF DEW research, supporting jobs and highlighting British innovation in defense technology. Officials suggest that this system could protect sensitive sites such as military bases and airports from drone threats and represents a significant advancement in layered air defense capabilities.