The UK’s Ministry of Defence announces that British soldiers have successfully trialed a new radio frequency directed energy weapon (RFDEW), effectively neutralizing drone swarms for the first time. This innovative technology, developed by leading defense firms including the British arm of Thales, operates by emitting high-frequency radio waves that disrupt drones’ critical systems, causing them to malfunction or crash. Notably, this development comes as the use of drone swarming tactics—where multiple drones collaborate for attack—grows increasingly prevalent in modern warfare, especially in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The successful test, described as the largest counter-drone swarm exercise conducted by the British Army to date, showcased the RFDEW’s capability to engage multiple targets simultaneously from a distance of up to one kilometer. With the British government investing over $53 million into this type of weaponry, it represents a pivotal shift in how militaries might counter affordable mass drone threats without relying solely on expensive missile defense systems. As military technology evolves, the implications of such advancements in drone defense strategies continue to attract significant global attention.
Read full story at www.newsweek.com
