Today, there are many interesting updates from Ukraine. Here, as Russian drone swarms grow larger and more complex, the UK has unveiled a weapon designed to stop them in their tracks en masse. Named the Rapid Destroyer, this new system, with battlefield testing on the horizon, may soon give Ukraine a game-changing tool to level the playing field.
Diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and Ukraine are likely the best foreign relations Ukraine has with any European country, as the UK was the first country to provide military aid to Ukraine at the very start of the war. Additionally, the current Ukrainian ambassador to the UK is Valeryi Zaluzhnyi, the former chief of staff of the Ukrainian army, whose military expertise is critical for the continued improvement of military cooperation and exchange of intelligence between the two countries.
Military technology between the UK and Ukraine is likely already being exchanged, with the British conducting tests with new laser weapons right before the same technology appeared in Ukraine. Recently, the United Kingdom developed a weapon that could potentially neutralise the drone threat prevalent in Ukraine. This new electronic warfare system, Rapid Destroyer, can take out entire drone swarms in a single charge.
Engineers smash drone swarms
Unlike regular electronic warfare systems that only disrupt the connection to the operator and disorient the drone’s navigation systems, the new British system relies on high-frequency radio waves to disrupt and destroy the electronic components within the drones, causing them to malfunction and crash. The system can take out dozens of incoming drones at a time, making it highly suited to counteract large-scale Russian drone strikes. In live trials, the system neutralised a swarm of 100 small quadcopters with near-instant effect.
The Rapid Destroyer has demonstrated an effective engagement range of approximately 1 kilometre, with further development underway to extend its range and effectiveness. An extended range would undoubtedly be needed to solidify its role as an effective system against drones in a layered air defense network. The UK Ministry of Defense highlighted the system’s low cost per engagement, estimated at just 10 cents per shot. It is a compelling alternative to missile-based or other hard-kill defenses that can cost thousands of dollars per use.
On top of that, the extensive targeting capability of Rapid Destroyer can simultaneously destroy and disable huge drone swarms with a single charge, only increasing its cost-effective nature. While production costs are unknown, the low operating cost would make Rapid Destroyer an extremely valuable asset if deployed in large numbers, which could offset the shorter range.
Lastly, the system is mounted on a flatbed truck, allowing for high mobility to quickly respond to incoming threats and withdraw before being targeted. However, its substantial power requirements necessitate a robust energy source. With the high likelihood of close cooperation and technology sharing between Ukraine and the UK, this system could significantly reinforce the Ukrainian air defense network, providing a powerful additional layer even at shorter ranges.
Ukraine gears up for rapid defense
During long-range strikes, Russians often attempt to target one point in Ukraine’s air defenses to overload and exhaust Ukrainian capabilities and allow subsequent strikes to get through. Rapid Destroyers could quickly and efficiently neutralise these initial drone swarms, allowing other Ukrainian air defense systems to preserve air missiles and ammunition to shoot down higher-threat Russian ballistic and cruise missiles.
Overall, this technology is likely to soon appear in Ukraine as well, as Ukrainian engineers will strive to develop and produce domestic variants of Rapid Destroyer on a large scale if they are proven effective at countering Russian drones. Given Ukraine’s deep, hard-earned expertise in countering drone warfare, incorporating systems like the Rapid Destroyer into their arsenal could significantly enhance their defensive capabilities.
Photo: Screenshot from the video
Furthermore, a key incentive for technology sharing between Western allies and Ukraine lies in the potential for real-world feedback. Ukrainian forces are already providing invaluable battlefield data and performance evaluations to Western allies, which are otherwise difficult to replicate in testing environments. These kinds of practical insights will enable designers and engineers in the West to rapidly iterate and improve on their existing weapon systems, strengthening defense capabilities in Ukraine and across the whole of NATO while reinforcing the collaborative nature of modern warfare technology and development.
In our daily frontline report, we pair up with the military blogger Reporting from Ukraine to keep you informed about what is happening on the battlefield in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
