The British Army has successfully tested a new Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) capable of neutralizing swarms of drones.
The RF DEW system, developed under the Hersa program, is a collaborative effort led by Thales UK, with oversight from the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) agency and technical support from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
This innovative weapon emits high-frequency radio waves designed to disrupt or damage the electronic components of drones, effectively incapacitating them.
During the trial conducted at a weapons range in West Wales, the RF DEW successfully neutralized over 100 drones, demonstrating its capability to engage multiple targets simultaneously with near-instant effect.
One of the most notable aspects of the RF DEW is its cost efficiency. Each shot is estimated to cost approximately 10 pence ($0.13), presenting a low-cost alternative to conventional missile-based air defense systems. This affordability makes it a viable option for countering low-cost threats such as commercially available drones or loitering munitions.
“The RF DEW is a promising concept,” said a non-commissioned officer from the 106th Royal Artillery Regiment. “We found the demonstrator quick to learn and easy to use. With improvements in range and power, it would be a valuable asset for multi-layered air defense.”
Radio Frequency vs Laser: A two-pronged approach to directed energy weapons
This new radio-frequency weapon joins a growing family of directed energy systems being explored by the UK, including the DragonFire laser weapon, which is being prepared for deployment on Royal Navy vessels.
Laser weapons, such as DragonFire, France’s HELMA-P, or Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapon system, use intense beams of light to physically damage targets by burning through structures or causing critical failures.
These weapons offer similar economic appeal (DragonFire reportedly costs just £10 per shot) but suffer from a significant limitation: they’re affected by weather conditions like fog, rain or dust.
In contrast, RF DEWs operate effectively regardless of visibility or atmospheric interference, making them especially suitable for real-time battlefield scenarios where environmental conditions are unpredictable.
Recent conflicts have underscored the urgent need for cheaper air defense solutions. During operations in the Red Sea, the Royal Navy’s HMS Diamond intercepted Iranian-backed Houthi drones using Sea Viper missiles, each costing around £1 million. In Ukraine, loitering munitions like the Shahed-136 have repeatedly been used to saturate defenses, forcing defenders to exhaust costly interceptor stockpiles.
These ‘attritable threats’, cheap, unmanned weapons designed to overwhelm or exhaust expensive air defense systems, have changed the calculus of modern warfare. Directed energy weapons, whether RF or laser-based, offer a sustainable and scalable solution to this evolving challenge.
