At 10p a shot, military technology is a cost-effective alternative to traditional missiles, say experts
: MoD/PA
A new radio-wave weapon which can destroy swarms of drones in one shot is to be used by the British military for the first time.
The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) beams disruptive radio waves at vehicles and drones, frying the electronics inside.
With a range of up to almost a mile, the radio weapon can be used across land, air and sea and costs as little as 10p per shot.
There will be further development in order to extend the range of the weapons system.
It is the latest announcement of new equipment the Ministry of Defence is planning to roll out after Rishi Sunak pledged to increase UK defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP by 2030.
Earlier this week The Telegraph revealed that the Royal Marines will receive up to six new Multi Role Support Ships (MRSS) as part of the new £75 billion funding for defence.
: MoD/PA
Crews will be able to launch drones and fire laser weapons, such as DragonFire, a high-powered laser beam that can shoot down missiles from the new vessels.
Defence sources said the new technology is a cost-effective alternative to traditional missiles.
The technology can be mounted on to a variety of vehicles, and uses a mobile power source to produce pulses of a radio frequency energy in a beam that can either fire sequenced shots at a single target or be broadened to hit a series of targets.
The high level of automation also means the system can be operated by a single person.
The new weapons system will undergo extensive testing with British soldiers over the summer, with defence sources suggesting it could be used to protect and defend critical assets and bases within the UK.
: NurPhoto
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