Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapons (RFDEW) are a new air defence solution that provide a complementary alternative to conventional weapons systems for use in protecting and defending critical assets. Thales in the UK has over 40 years of experience in this field. 

A directed energy weapon refers to a type of system that disrupts or damages lone or multiple targets without the use of a projectile. Unlike existing systems that jam or confuse incoming threats, the Thales RFDEW system, known as RapidDestroyer, is a hard-kill mechanism. The system operates by emitting high-intensity RF waves that interfere with electronic factors to disrupt and cause damage to sensitive components contained in the incoming threat. Developed in the UK, RapidDestroyer can take out multiple incoming threats at a time, making the system highly suited to counteract the evolving challenges we are seeing on the modern battlefield, such as drone swarms. 

RFDEW are part of a broader category of directed energy weapons, which also includes the use of lasers. The technology is continually evolving, and specific implementations may vary across individual requirements. The Thales complex weapons system provides the user with the capability to detect, track and defeat incoming threats, all while reducing the burden on the operator through the embracing of automation.

Available in various configurations, RapidDestroyer can be stand alone, part of a collective of effectors, or part of an integrated air defence configuration, such as ForceShield. At only 10p per shot, RFDEW is a cost effective way to take out swarms of incoming mini and micro drones, making it an excellent complementary system to existing, conventional short range air defence systems such as the Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM). 

Thales’ RFDEW systems offer operational discretion and a threat detection and engagement range of up to 1km with a high degree of accuracy.