The RFDEW system can detect, track, and engage various threats across land, air, and sea. It can target enemies up to 1km away, with ongoing development aimed at extending this range. The system disrupts or damages the critical electronic components of enemy vehicles, causing them to halt or crash. Its high level of automation allows it to be operated by a single person, making it an efficient tool for defending critical assets and bases.
“We are already a force to be reckoned with on science and technology, and developments like RFDEW not only make our personnel more lethal and better protected on the battlefield, but also keep the UK a world leader on innovative military kit,” said UK Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge.
“The war in Ukraine has shown us the importance of deploying uncrewed systems, but we must be able to defend against them too. As we ramp up our defence spending in the coming years, our Defence Drone Strategy will ensure we are at the forefront of this warfighting evolution,” he added.
This innovative technology is part of Project Hersa and is being developed by a joint team from Dstl and Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), in collaboration with UK industry. Defence Procurement Minister James Cartlidge emphasized the importance of such advancements in keeping the UK at the forefront of military technology, especially in light of increased defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has highlighted the need for effective countermeasures against uncrewed systems, making the development of RFDEW particularly timely.
The RFDEW system, which can be mounted on various military vehicles and uses a mobile power source, is set to undergo extensive field testing with British soldiers this summer. This phase will be crucial in refining the technology and ensuring its readiness for operational deployment in the coming years.
