Offensive military systems, but also defensive, continue to progress. As drones are increasingly used in wars, the British are testing a microwave weapon to deactivate drone swarms. Named “RapidDestroyer,” the new weapon tested by the British Armed Forces relies on a high-power radio frequency to destroy drone systems before they become a threat.
RapidDestroyer is designed by a consortium led by the French defense conglomerate Thales. Two swarms of eight drones were neutralized by the weapon in a recent test, the UK Ministry of Defense announced, while “as part of the project, over 100 drones have been tracked, engaged and defeated using the weapon in all tests.”
The technology is still in its early stages. RapidDestroyer is transported on the back of a platform truck and requires a large amount of energy. To counter the drones, the system emits concentrated microwaves in a certain direction and powerful enough to disrupt and damage the electronic components of the drones, up to a range of 1 km. The microwaves used in the attack are electromagnetic waves that fall between radio waves and infrared waves on the electromagnetic spectrum.
What the British defense system can do
RapidDestroyer is designed to “attack” targets at very short ranges, especially drones, and to be integrated into a layered air defense system, with medium- and long-range missile systems to counter missiles and enemy aircraft.
The new technology of electromagnetic weapons launches a wide beam of energy that is relatively inexpensive and capable of taking down multiple drones at the same time.
“High-power microwave systems are potentially a very effective tool for defense against a large number of drones and, eventually, cruise missiles, in situations where their wide cone of effect does not create more problems than it solves,” said Justin Bronk of the Royal United Service Institute in London.
The system could also be used in the conflict in Ukraine, according to the Financial Times.”