{{Short description|United Kingdom radio-frequency directed-energy weapon (RF-DEW) demonstrator}} {{Use British English|date=September 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2025}} '''RapidDestroyer''' is the commercial name for a United Kingdom radio-frequency directed-energy weapon (RF-DEW) and electronic warfare demonstrator, built to "track, target and defeat swarms of drones", currently under development for the British Armed Forces.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=2025-04-17 |title=British High-Power Microwave Weapon Successfully Tested Against Drone Swarms |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/british-high-power-microwave-weapon-successfully-tested-against-drone-swarms |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref> It is being developed as part of Project Ealing, a joint project of the Ministry of Defence's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Defence Equipment & Support DE&S agencies, working in conjunction with a team of industry partners, named Team Hersa, which includes Thales UK, QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v and Horiba Mira.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Newdick |first=Thomas |date=2025-04-17 |title=British High-Power Microwave Weapon Successfully Tested Against Drone Swarms |url=https://www.twz.com/news-features/british-high-power-microwave-weapon-successfully-tested-against-drone-swarms |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=The War Zone |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Comms |first=D. E. S. |date=2025-04-16 |title=British Army uses radio waves to down drone swarms |url=https://des.mod.uk/british-army-uses-radio-waves-to-down-drone-swarms/ |access-date=2025-09-21 |website=Defence Equipment & Support |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=NavyLookout |date=2024-12-24 |title=Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon successfully demonstrated in the UK - Navy Lookout |url=https://www.navylookout.com/radio-frequency-directed-energy-weapon-with-potential-naval-applications-successfully-demonstrated-in-the-uk/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |language=en-US}}</ref> It was first unveiled publicly on 16 May 2024 and was field tested for the first time in December 2024. During its first trials, the system was mounted on an RMMV HX60 4×4 truck chassis, and neutralised over 100 drones, while in one experiment the system brought down two swarms of drones in a single engagement.<ref name=":5" />
== Background == The operational use of drones in terrorism and warfare has evolved from limited experimentation in the 1990s to widespread adoption by both state and non-state actors.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hummel |first=Kristina |date=2025-03-28 |title=On the Horizon: The Ukraine War and the Evolving Threat of Drone Terrorism |url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/on-the-horizon-the-ukraine-war-and-the-evolving-threat-of-drone-terrorism/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=Combating Terrorism Center at West Point |language=en-US}}</ref> Early attempts by violent extremist organizations were sporadic and constrained, but groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, often supported by Iran, pioneered the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reconnaissance, propaganda, and limited attack roles.<ref name=":2" /> A major turning point occurred between 2014 and 2018, when the Islamic State weaponized commercial drones at scale, employing them for surveillance, command and control, aerial bomb delivery, and psychological warfare, creating a model later emulated by other groups.<ref name=":2" /> Subsequent years saw a plateau, with global affiliates of the Islamic State and al-Qaeda integrating drones for intelligence and attack coordination, while the Houthis, backed by Iran, advanced long-range UAV capabilities and conducted cross-border strikes.<ref name=":2" /> Later, Hamas employed drones extensively during its October 2023 assault on Israel, disabling surveillance and delivering munitions,<ref name=":2" /> while Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria integrated loitering munitions, suicide drones, and 3D-printed components into combined arms operations.<ref name=":2" /> The Russo-Ukrainian War further accelerated innovation in scale, speed, and range, particularly through the use of First-Person View (FPV) drones and large-scale production.<ref name=":2" /> According to UK Defence Intelligence, in 2024 "Ukraine had to defend against attacks from more than 18,000 drones",<ref>{{Cite web |title=British soldiers take down drone swarm in groundbreaking use of radio wave weapon |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-soldiers-take-down-drone-swarm-in-groundbreaking-use-of-radio-wave-weapon |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> and it is estimated that around 100 different types of drones are in operation there, ranging from small, toy-sized platforms to large models with wingspans approaching 20 metres.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franke |first=Ulrike |date=2025-01-10 |title=Drones in Ukraine: Four lessons for the West |url=https://ecfr.eu/article/drones-in-ukraine-four-lessons-for-the-west/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=ECFR |language=en-GB}}</ref> Analysts argue that these trends, combined with technologies such as additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and hydrogen fuel cells, are lowering barriers to entry and likely to usher in a new wave of terrorist drone tactics that blend mass deployment, speed, and long-range strike capabilities.<ref name=":2" /> The RFDEW was developed against the backdrop of these conflicts which have each highlighted the importance of cost-effective counter-UAV systems.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 May 2024 |title=Royal Navy: MoD developing advanced drone killer radio wave weapon after Red Sea attacks |url=https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/defence/drone-killer-weapon-royal-navy-developed-4632493 |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=The News}}</ref>
== Concept and features == The RapidDestroyer is a high-power microwave weapon system developed primarily by a Thales-led consortium for the United Kingdom, focused on countering the growing threat of drone swarms on modern battlefields. It operates by emitting powerful, targeted bursts of high-frequency radio waves that overload and physically damage the electronics in drones, causing them to crash, delivering what is called a “hard kill” rather than just jamming or disrupting their signals.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=UK's RapidDestroyer: Revolutionizing Drone Warfare with Microwave Weapons {{!}} Continental Defence |url=https://continental-defence.com/uks-rapiddestroyer-revolutionizing-drone-warfare-with-microwave-weapons |access-date=2025-09-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> The system integrates wide-area surveillance radar for detection and tracking with an optical camera for identification in a single highly automated system.<ref name=":5" /> The system was revealed following a government pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030.<ref name="FN1">{{cite news |last1=Candlin |first1=Alex |date=16 May 2024 |title=New 10p-a-shot anti-drone weapon being developed for UK's Armed Forces |url=https://www.forces.net/technology/weapons-and-kit/new-10p-shot-anti-drone-weapon-being-developed-uks-armed-forces |work=Forces News}}</ref>
Primary features of the RapidDestroyer include its ability to engage and neutralize multiple drones at once, making it particularly effective against swarms, something conventional missile systems struggle to achieve economically and tactically. The system can be mounted to a variety of platforms, from ships to ground vehicles,<ref name=":3" /> and will be used to defend critical assets and bases.<ref name="gov1">{{cite news |date=16 May 2024 |title=Cutting-edge drone killer radio wave weapon developing at pace |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cutting-edge-drone-killer-radio-wave-weapon-developing-at-pace |access-date=17 May 2024 |agency=GOV.UK}}</ref><ref name="ITC">{{cite news |last1=Karpus |first1=Vadym |date=16 May 2024 |title=The RFDEW is an energy weapon with a shot price of 13 cents and unlimited ammunition. It is designed to destroy drones and aircraft electronics |url=https://itc.ua/en/news/the-rfdew-is-an-energy-weapon-with-a-shot-price-of-13-cents-and-unlimited-ammunition-it-is-designed-to-destroy-drones-and-aircraft-electronics/ |access-date=19 May 2024 |work=ITC}}</ref> It was successfully field tested by the British Army's 7th Air Defence Group in December 2024.<ref name="trial">{{cite news |date=23 December 2024 |title=British soldiers successfully test drone killer radiowave weapon for first time |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/british-soldiers-successfully-test-drone-killer-radiowave-weapon-for-first-time |access-date=9 January 2025 |agency=GOV.UK}}</ref> A test conducted in April 2025 in Western Wales downed two swarms of 8 drones in a single engagement, and immobilised more than 100 drones with near-instant effect.<ref>[https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2025/04/17/in-first-british-army-uses-radio-wave-weapon-to-knock-out-drone-swarm/ In first, British Army uses radio-wave weapon to knock out drone swarm]. ''Defense News''. 17 April 2025.</ref><ref name=":3" />
The system is capable of detecting, tracking and engaging multiple targets on the ground, at sea and in the air up to {{convert|1|km|mi}} away, with ongoing development to extend this range further. It beams radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components, such as those found in UAVs or aircraft avionics, with instant effect. At an estimated cost of 10 pence (13 cents) per shot, it is a cheaper alternative to missile-based systems, such as the Aster which has a unit cost of USD$1.3-2.5 million.<ref name=":3" /> It is capable of defending against drone swarms and is designed with extensive automation, meaning it can be operated by a single person.<ref name="SN1">{{cite news |date=16 May 2024 |title=UK's EW UAS-jammer set for field testing |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/uks-ew-uas-jammer-to-undergo-field-testing-soon/ |access-date=17 May 2024 |work=Shepherd News}}</ref><ref>[https://breakingdefense.com/2024/05/uk-reveals-development-of-low-cost-radio-frequency-directed-energy-weapon/ UK reveals development of low cost Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon]. ''Breaking Defense''. 16 May 2024.</ref><ref>[https://newatlas.com/military/rfedw-drone-weapon/ Directed energy weapon replaces million-dollar missiles at 13 cents a shot]. ''New Atlas''. 15 May 2024.</ref><ref name=":5" /> A 106 Regiment Royal Artillery operator described the demonstrator as quick to learn and easy to use.<ref name=":5" />
=== Limitations === RapidDestroyer's design permits integration into broader air defense networks and supports land-based, naval, and potentially airborne configurations, however its high power requirements currently limit the flexibility of its deployment and present several operational constraints.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Kesteloo |first=Haye |date=2025-04-17 |title=UK's RapidDestroyer Microwave Weapon Neutralizes Drone Swarms, Signals Shift In Counter-UAV Tech |url=https://dronexl.co/2025/04/17/uk-rapiddestroyer-microwave-weapon-neutralizes-drone-swarms/ |access-date=2025-09-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> Its effectiveness is sensitive to environmental conditions; adverse weather and complex terrain potentially degrade performance, and dense urban areas, with numerous reflective surfaces and electric fields, may reduce beam precision and effective range.<ref name=":3" /> The demonstrator's mobile truck-mounted configuration is limited by the system's substantial power requirements, imposing logistical constraints on deployment.<ref name=":3" /> Additionally, extending the engagement envelope of one kilometre or adapting the system for more complex operational scenarios remains a technical challenge.<ref name=":3" /> Furthermore, experts expressed concern that deployment in urban areas could cause collateral damage to civilian electronics and non-military infrastructure,<ref name=":3" /> such as airports.<ref name=":4" /> Despite the advantages of the system, doubts remain regarding its maturity, and as of April 17, 2025, the MoD has not approved its integration into the military.<ref name=":4"/>
== See also ==
* Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project * Death ray * Epirus Leonidas * Fk-4000 * Hurricane (weapon) * Raytheon Phaser * Drone warfare
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Anti-drone weapons Category:Directed-energy weapons Category:Non-lethal weapons Category:Military lasers Category:Laser applications Category:Military optical devices