The United Kingdom has successfully tested a novel kind of weaponry that utilizes radiofrequency waves to incapacitate targets.
down drone swarms
, according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence stated.
Known as RapidDestroyer, this device employs a high-intensity frequency “to interfere with or harm essential electronics within drones” from afar, leading them to either crash or cease functioning properly.”
based on an announcement made by the authorities on Thursday.
The equipment successfully brought down more than 100 drones across various trials and demonstrated functionality at distances of up to 1 kilometer, immune to interference from electronic warfare.
Aircraft drone strikes are being utilized more frequently in contemporary combat scenarios, with
Ukraine
warding off assaults from over 18,000 drones in the previous year, as reported by UK Defence Intelligence.
“We found the demonstrator quick to learn and easy to use. With improvements on range and power, which could come with further development, this would be a great asset to Layered Air Defence,” Sergeant Mayers, who tested the weapon, said in a statement.
This type of defence implies using several different types of defence systems, each designed to stop threats at different distances and heights, and that could defend against a wide spectrum of threats.
An instance of this approach is the Iron Dome system implemented by Israel.
“We are continually bolstering our defense sector by incorporating advanced technologies to ensure security both domestically and strength internationally. Additionally, we aim to make defense a catalyst for economic development throughout our urban centers,” stated Maria Eagle, the UK Minister for Defense Procurement and Industry, in an official release.
RapidDestroyer is part of a broader category of Directed Energy Weapons that encompasses laser systems as well.
The project was spearheaded by a coalition headed by the French firm Thales and is projected to have an operational cost of €0.12 for each round discharged. The United Kingdom indicated that this innovation might offer a financially prudent supplement to conventional missile-oriented air defense mechanisms.
This development follows an increase in defense expenditure by the UK to incorporate advanced technologies, after US President Donald Trump urged European leaders earlier this year to enhance their military contributions towards supporting Ukraine ahead of potential peace negotiations with Russia.
By 2027, the UK plans to allocate 2.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) for defense purposes, marking the nation’s largest boost in defense expenditure since the conclusion of the Cold War.
