Burning drone swarms: British microwave weapons may appear in Ukraine.

The United Kingdom has successfully tested new weapons for combating drones, which could potentially be used on the front lines in Ukraine. This information is reported by the publication 'Hvylya', citing the Financial Times.

'The UK Ministry of Defense has conducted successful tests of a new type of electronic weapon for combating drones, which can be used on modern battlefields, including in Ukraine,' the article states.

The new anti-drone protection system, designated RapidDestroyer, was developed by a consortium led by the French defense conglomerate Thales. It uses powerful radio frequency radiation to disable or 'burn out' the electronics of drones from a distance.

During the latest tests, RapidDestroyer successfully neutralized two 'swarms' of eight drones each. It is also reported that this weapon has already successfully detected, tracked, and neutralized over a hundred drones.

The RapidDestroyer technology is currently at an early stage of development and requires significant energy resources. The article notes that there are also analogs of this weapon, such as the American Tactical High-power Operational Responder (THOR) and the Leonidas system.

The new electromagnetic weapon technology emits a wide beam of energy that can destroy multiple drones simultaneously. Many experts believe this makes the weapon effective against 'hostile swarms'. However, due to its non-selective nature, it is less suitable for protecting infrastructure, such as airports.

One senior British military official noted that while drones have become a powerful force on the battlefield, they still face obstacles, including microwave weapons. However, there are ways to protect drones from this weapon.

In conclusion, the new microwave weapon could be an effective means of combating drones and other aerial vehicles under certain conditions, but it is not a universal solution. This technology is also aimed at missile defense and can be used to intercept anti-ship ballistic missiles.

Currently, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has signed contracts with 76 manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).