BELFAST — The United Kingdom says it has started development of a “cutting edge” Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) capable of neutralizing drone swarms at just 10 pence (13 cents) a shot.
The new weapon system beams radio waves to “disrupt or damage” electronic equipment of enemy vehicles “causing them to stop in their tracks or fall out of the sky,” according to a Wednesday
UK MoD statement.
Once development of RFDEW advances, it will be capable of operating in excess of 1 KM and detect, track and engage a variety of threats across air, land and sea domains, per the announcement.
“At only 10p per shot fired, the RFDEW beam is a significant cost-effective alternative to traditional missile-based, air defence systems, capable of downing dangerous drone swarms with instant effect,” noted the MoD. “The high level of automation also means the system itself can be operated by a single person.”
The system is also suited to protecting “critical assets and bases,” and can be integrated on a number of different military vehicles.
Link:
https://breakingdefense.com/2024/05...-cost-radio-frequency-directed-energy-weapon/