UK tests new microwave weapon capable of 'frying' drones mid-air

The Financial Times reported the information.

The weapon, named RapidDestroyer, was developed by a consortium led by French defense giant Thales. The technology uses high-frequency radio waves to “fry” electronics and destroy targets through overheating.

During test launches, RapidDestroyer eliminated two groups of drones, each consisting of eight units, according to the Defense Ministry’s report on April 17. Overall, during the trials, the system detected, attacked, and neutralized over 100 drones. The weapon is still being refined: currently, RapidDestroyer is mounted on a truck platform and consumes a significant amount of energy.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, both armies have been using drones for reconnaissance and strikes. Cheap and small UAVs are difficult targets for existing countermeasures, which are usually expensive and can’t engage multiple targets at once.

The new electromagnetic weapon offers a cheaper way to neutralize clusters of drones at once. Experts believe it’s effective against large numbers of targets but less suitable for defending infrastructure such as airports. There is also a possibility that weapons like RapidDestroyer could even handle cruise missiles.

It is possible to protect drones from microwave weapons—for example, by installing shields that block external electric fields, a high-ranking British military official said.

Eventually, the technology is also intended for missile defense. In 2026, the U.S. Navy plans to test a microwave weapon called Project Meteor, which is expected to shoot down high-speed anti-ship ballistic missiles.