UK unveils 'game-changing' drone-killer radio wave weapon that costs just 10p per shot

23 December 2024, 06:31

British soldiers have successfully tested a radio wave that can knock out drones from a kilometre away and costs just 10p to fire each time.

The radio frequency-directed energy weapon (RFDEW) is also meant to detect, track and destroy threats across land and sea, as well as the air.

Defence minister Maria Eagle said it was a "potentially game-changing" weapon.

The war in Ukraine and Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping have demonstrated how low-cost drones can have a devastating impact.

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Traditional weapons such as surface-to-air missiles can cost many times more than the drones they are trying to shoot down but the RFDEW costs only 10p to fire.

The high-frequency waves disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside targets such as unmanned vehicles, causing them to be immobilised or fall out of the sky.

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Defence procurement minister Ms Eagle said: "The successful firing by the British soldiers of our radio frequency directed energy weapon is another step forward for a potentially game-changing sovereign weapon for the UK.

"It's great to see defence experts and industry working collaboratively to put cutting-edge equipment in the hands of our armed forces.

"This is a demonstration of the UK remaining at the forefront of directed energy weapons and developing a crucial advantage against the emerging threats we face."

The army successfully trialled a demonstrator version of the RFDEW in a live firing exercise against drones at a range in west Wales.

The development system has been produced by a consortium led by Thales UK, including sub-contractors QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v and Horiba Mira, and supports up to 135 high-skilled jobs in the UK.