UK military trial counter-drone demonstrator against aerial swarms

Published on April 29, 2025

 

The UK military has successfully trialled a new radiofrequency directed energy weapon (RF DEW) system designed to counter drone swarms by using high-frequency radio waves to disrupt their electronics, causing them to crash. Conducted in West Wales, it marked the British Army's largest counter-drone swarm exercise to date, with over 100 drones tracked and neutralised in various tests. Developed by Thales UK and supported by a £40 million government investment, the technology is part of a broader effort to enhance the UK’s air defence capabilities and bolster domestic defence industry jobs. The system, effective at up to 1km and capable of engaging threats immune to jamming, is seen as a promising addition to the UK’s layered air defence.

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