LONDON (Agencies): The British Army has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully testing an experimental Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) during its largest counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) swarm exercise to date. Conducted in West Wales, the trials demonstrated the system’s effectiveness, as it tracked, engaged, and neutralized over 100 UAVs, including two drone swarms, in a single engagement. The results were announced in a press release by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) on April 17, 2025.
The RF DEW uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage the critical electronic components of drones, causing them to crash or malfunction. It consists of an effector that generates the energy beam, an antenna for targeting, a radar system for detection, a targeting camera, and mission modules. The weapon was developed under the Team Hersa program, a collaboration between Thales UK, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
The RF DEW is mounted on wheeled vehicles, such as the MAN Support Vehicle 6T, and is designed to counter mini and micro UAV swarms while complementing short-range air-defense systems. Its cost-effectiveness—estimated at GBP0.10 (USD0.12) per shot—positions it as a strategic asset for modern warfare.
The system is not limited to drones; it can engage targets on land, air, and sea, offering versatile applications. This trial underscores the growing importance of directed energy weapons in addressing emerging threats in contemporary defense.