13-cent-per-shot radio waves to fry drones
According to a press release by the British Army, the weapon system demonstrator is a type of RFDEW. It has proven capable of neutralizing multiple targets simultaneously with near-instant effects.
The UK Government has invested more than £40 million in RFDEW research and development to date, the British Army said.
The weapon uses high-frequency radio waves to disrupt or damage critical electronic components inside drones, causing them to crash or malfunction.
At an estimated cost of GBP 0.10 (USD 0.13 or 13 cents) per shot fired, if developed into operational service, the weapon could provide a cost-effective complement to traditional missile-based air defense systems, the British Army added.
The weapon system can defeat airborne targets at ranges of up to 1km and is effective against threats that cannot be jammed using electronic warfare.