The British Army has successfully tested a radio-wave weapon capable of knocking out drone swarms. The Ministry of Defence announced that soldiers from 106 Regiment Royal Artillery were able to defeat two swarms of drones in a single engagement, using the weapon developed by a consortium led by Thales UK.
This technology uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components in drones, causing them to crash or malfunction. The Army conducted trials at Air Defence Range Manorbier in Wales and was able to immobilize more than 100 drones across all tests.
The U.K. has invested over £40 million into research and development of this technology, with an estimated cost of 10 pence per shot fired. If developed for operational service, it could provide a cost-effective complement to traditional missile-based air defense systems.
This technology can defeat airborne targets at ranges of up to 1 kilometer and is effective against targets that cannot be jammed using electronic warfare. It could help protect security-sensitive areas such as defense bases from unidentified drones and prevent airport disruptions caused by drone sightings.
The demonstrator weapon was found to be quick to learn and easy to use, with Sgt. Mayers, a senior remotely-piloted air systems operator, praising its effectiveness in bringing down drones. The MoD is working with industry partners to develop future RF DEW capabilities for the UK forces.
Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/04/17/in-first-british-army-uses-radio-wave-weapon-to-knock-out-drone-swarm