The British armed forces are developing a new weapon that uses radio waves to fly from the sky.
The purpose of the Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) is to cause enemy combat vehicles and drones to fly out of the sky by disrupting or damaging critical electrical components.
The range, which can be increased to 1 kilometer in the future, allows it to be used on land, in the air and at sea.
The new weapons announcement follows Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to increase UK defense spending to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2030.
The device is a cost-effective replacement for conventional rockets and is sold for around 10p per radio wave. It has the ability to destroy killer drones.
The system can be installed on several military vehicles, producing pulses of radio frequency energy in the form of a beam to engage several targets or launch a series of shots simultaneously. It is powered by a portable power source.
“We have become a force to be reckoned with in science and technology, and developments like the RFDEW not only make our personnel more lethal and better protected on the battlefield, but can also make the UK a world leader in innovative military infrastructure,” Defense Procurement Secretary James Cartlidge said.
“The war in Ukraine showed us the importance of deploying knife systems, but we also need to be able to defend against them.
As we further increase our defense spending in the coming years, our Defense Drone Strategy will ensure we stay at the forefront of this evolution of warfare. “
British soldiers will undergo extensive testing of the new weapons system throughout the summer.
The Hersa project was developed by the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and a joint team with Defense Equipment (DE&S) in partnership with UK industry.
Paul Hollinshead, chief executive of DSTL, said: “The game-changing system will give the British Armed Forces a decisive operational advantage, saving lives and defeating dangerous threats.”
