Latest news with #106RegimentRoyalArtillery
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Express Tribune
British Army's new radio frequency directed energy weapon destroys over 100 drones
The British radiofrequency directed energy weapon (RF DEW) can take down drones Credit: Ministry of Defence Listen to article British soldiers have used a home-grown directed-energy weapon to destroy swarms of drones in a landmark military trial, marking the UK's largest counter-drone exercise to date. The trial, held at a range in west Wales, tested a radio frequency directed-energy weapon (RF DEW) developed by Thales UK. The system successfully tracked and neutralised over 100 drones across multiple engagements by emitting high-frequency radio waves that disrupted the drones' internal electronics. In one test, British troops brought down two separate swarms in a single engagement. The RF DEW system is designed to defeat aerial threats at up to 1km and costs just 10 pence per shot — a fraction of traditional missile-based systems. Sgt Mayers from 106 Regiment Royal Artillery, who operated the weapon, described it as 'quick to learn and easy to use,' and said further improvements in range and power could make it a valuable tool in layered air defence. The Ministry of Defence has invested over £40 million in RF DEW development as part of its Plan for Change, pledging to spend at least 10% of its procurement budget on novel technologies from 2025-26. 'RF DEW is a pioneering concept and a cost-effective solution against a growing threat,' said Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle. 'It showcases the best of British innovation and strengthens our national security.' Drone swarms have become a key challenge in modern warfare, with Ukraine reporting over 18,000 drone attacks in 2023. UK officials say RF DEW systems could protect critical infrastructure, airports, and defence sites from similar threats. Thales executive Nigel MacVean said the company would continue to develop the technology in partnership with the UK government to meet emerging defence challenges.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
In first, British Army uses radio-wave weapon to knock out drone swarm
PARIS — The British Army successfully tested a radio-wave weapon to knock out drone swarms, as militaries look for new ways to neutralize what has become one of the biggest threats on the modern battlefield. The Army was able to defeat drone swarms for the first time in the latest trial of the weapon-system demonstrator, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement on Thursday. The weapon, developed by a consortium led by Thales UK, uses high-frequency radio waves to fry drone internals, disrupting or damaging critical electronic components and causing the drones to crash or malfunction. Soldiers from 106 Regiment Royal Artillery took down two swarms of drones in a single engagement using the weapon, and more than 100 drones were immobilized across all trials, the MoD said. The radio-frequency, directed-energy weapon was capable of neutralizing multiple drone targets simultaneously with near-instant effect, it said. The U.K. has invested more than £40 million (US$53 million) into research and development of the radio-wave weapons to date, it said. With an estimated cost of 10 pence per shot fired, 'if developed into operational service it could provide a cost-effective complement to traditional missile-based air defense systems,' the government said. Radio-frequency directed energy weapon systems can defeat airborne targets at ranges of up to 1 kilometer (0.62 mile), and are effective against targets that can't be jammed using electronic warfare, according to the government. Such systems could help protect security-sensitive areas such as defense bases from unidentified drones, as well as play a role in preventing disruption at airports, the government said. Drone sightings have caused airport shutdowns around the world in recent years. The demonstrator weapon was quick to learn and easy to use, according to testimony from Sgt. Mayers, a senior remotely-piloted air systems operator from 106 Regiment Royal Artillery, who made history as the first British soldier to bring down drones using a radio-frequency weapon. The trail was conducted at Air Defence Range Manorbier, a live-firing range in south-west Wales. The purpose of the project is to develop a weapon that allows the Army to test the integration challenges and operational challenges of fielding a radio-frequency, directed-energy weapon system, or RF DEW, the government said. Thales have around 100 engineering and manufacturing staff in Northern Ireland working on the project, with another 30 to 35 supply chain jobs in Essex in east England, according to the MoD. 'Thales continues to be at the forefront of this pioneering technology, and we are proud to continue the research and development in this sector alongside our partners in government,' said Nigel MacVean, managing director of Thales Integrated Airspace-protection Systems. The MoD said it's working with a range of industry partners to provide U.K. forces with future RF DEW capabilities.
