The experiment, held at a weapons range in West Wales, demonstrated the capability of a Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) system to neutralise multiple drones simultaneously using invisible radio waves. The trials marked the first time a UK weapon has taken down drone swarms in a live scenario.
The system works by emitting high-frequency radio energy to disrupt or disable a drone’s critical electronics, forcing it to crash or lose control. At a cost of around 10 pence per shot, the RF DEW offers a potentially cost-effective complement to missile-based air defence systems. Effective at ranges of up to 1km, the weapon is particularly suited to countering threats that cannot be jammed using traditional electronic warfare methods.
The Ministry of Defence has invested more than £40 million into RF DEW research and development, supporting 135 highly skilled jobs across Northern Ireland and the South East of England. The demonstrator was delivered under Team Hersa, a collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, with development led by Thales UK.
During the trial, the British Army successfully destroyed more than 100 drones across multiple engagements, including two separate swarm attacks in a single scenario. Sergeant Mayers of 106 Regiment Royal Artillery was the first soldier to employ the system in combat trials, calling it “quick to learn and easy to use,” and emphasising its future value to layered air defence.
Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle hailed the achievement, saying the project “exemplifies the strength of British innovation” and demonstrates how novel capabilities are strengthening UK security while supporting defence-sector growth nationwide.
Strategic Importance of Counter-Drone Capabilities
The widespread use of drones in conflicts such as Ukraine — where Defence Intelligence estimates over 18,000 unmanned systems attacked last year alone — has highlighted the urgency of developing affordable and scalable countermeasures. Low-cost drones can overwhelm traditional defences, while swarm tactics present new challenges to air defence networks.
Directed energy systems such as RF DEW offer rapid, precise, and low-cost responses to these threats. Beyond the battlefield, they could play a key role in protecting sensitive sites such as airports, critical infrastructure, and defence bases from hostile or unidentified drones.
By investing in technologies like RF DEW, the UK aims to enhance resilience against asymmetric threats, reduce reliance on expensive interceptor missiles, and ensure the Armed Forces remain equipped to face the evolving nature of modern warfare.
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