Thales Microwave Weapon Destroys 80 Drones During Trials

The RapidDestroyer microwave weapon, a radio-frequency directed energy weapon (RFDEW) designed to counter drone swarms, has destroyed 80 drones during trials.

Thales UK announced this.

A consortium led by Thales UK, with participation from QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v and Horiba Mira, developed the system with support from the UK Ministry of Defence.

Microwave weapons use high-frequency radio waves to disable or damage critical electronic components inside drones and other electronic systems, causing them to cease functioning.

During the latest trials, developers tested an upgraded four-panel antenna designed to improve beam focusing. This increases the amount of energy delivered to the target and extends the system’s effective range.

The RapidDestroyer system was first presented in May 2024. It is expected to enter service with the British Armed Forces within the next few years, providing a new capability to counter drones at the brigade level.

In April 2025, British military personnel successfully tracked and destroyed two drone swarms during RFDEW testing.

The previous antenna configuration enabled the system to disable drone electronics at ranges of up to 1 km. The system can also detect, track, and engage maritime, aerial, and ground targets.

In addition, the system features a high degree of automation, allowing a single operator to control it.