The company said the tests marked another milestone in the development of radio frequency directed energy weapon technologies. RapidDestroyer neutralised 80 drones in individual scenarios during the trial activity.
Building on previous successes, Thales and E2V demonstrated an upgraded four-panel effector. The company said the upgrade improves the focus of the effector’s power, increasing energy on the target and allowing additional engagement range to be achieved.
Thales said the extensive testing enabled forensic analysis of each engagement. The company said the trials showed consistent and near-immediate defeat of each drone, removing the chance that the drones could re-engage.
RapidDestroyer is a UK-based solution. It is integrated with Thales’ command-and-control and weapon control software.
The system is enhanced by artificial intelligence to support optimal threat response and autonomous operation. Thales said the design keeps the operator in the loop.
