U.K. touts successful test of new radio wave weapon to take down “swarms of drones”

The U.K. military has successfully tested a new weapon designed to counter drone swarms.

The “RapidDestroyer,” a Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) developed by Thales, tracked, targeted, and defeated over 100 drones during a test in Wales.

This system uses radio waves to disrupt or damage drone components, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional missile defenses at about $0.18 per shot.

The RF DEW is effective within a half-mile range, with further development to extend its reach.

The test highlights the U.K.’s focus on advanced defense technologies, with plans to allocate 10% of defense spending to such innovations starting in 2025, CBS News has reported.

The growing threat of drone swarms, particularly in Ukraine, has spurred these developments.

Written by B.C. Begley