During recent trials at the Manorbier range in Wales, Royal Artillery troops experimented with a radio frequency directed energy weapon (RFDEW) to take down swarms of UAS for the first time.
The test bed, developed by a Thales UK-led consortium, was given a run-out by 106 Regiment, who used it to detect, track and engage targets up to one kilometre away.
“It’s an exciting concept and we found the demonstrator quick to learn and easy to use,” said Sgt Darren Mayers (RA), a senior remotely piloted air systems operator, who is now credited as being the first UK soldier to bring down drones with a radio frequency weapon. “With improvements on range and power – which could come with more development – this would be a great asset to layered air defence.”
The RFDEW’s high-frequency waves disable critical electronic components, causing enemy platforms to drop out of the air. The technology requires less power to run than laser weapons, which have also been successfully trialled in counter-drone roles, but the technology itself is still expensive to procure, with the MoD investing more than £40 million so far.
“This was very much a test to evaluate this type of device,” Wg Cdr James Hemingfield (RAF), counter-UAS lead in the Army Futures directorate, told Soldier. “Finding ways to negate the UAS threat has become one of the MoD’s priorities.
“It is estimated that currently 70 to 80 per cent of all casualties in the Ukraine war are caused by drones.
“There isn’t one solution on offer, but this sort of weapon could form part of a layered defence in the future. The trial allowed us to look at the feasibility of employing this in a military role, including its cost and the benefits it offers.
“Now we move into the next phase, where we look at the lessons we have learnt and develop the technology further to extend its range, for example.”
