The Day We Zapped a Drone—And Built a Product Line
We take pulsed power seriously. But sometimes, engineering is about more than precision specs and MIL-STD compliance—sometimes, it’s about play. And play, as it turns out, can lead to innovation.
Several years ago, our team had a simple, slightly mischievous question:
“Could our wideband high-power RF systems take down a flying drone?”
We’d explored the counter-drone problem before—highlighting how wideband high-power RF systems can disrupt small UAS and why wide beamwidth is a critical advantage against swarms (read more). But one summer day, standing under the hot Texas sun, we stopped theorizing and got hands-on.
So we bought an off-the-shelf RC helicopter from Best Buy.
With one of our early HPRF test stands in hand, we set up in an open field. After a few frustrating (and hilarious) near misses, we nailed it. The drone fell clean from the sky—radio link severed, mission aborted.
Watch the video by clicking here
From Backyard Hack to Battlefield Hardware
What began as a playful experiment sparked a serious development cycle.
That single drone test inspired several now-operational systems in our lineup:
– RF Footlocker – A rugged, transportable RF weapon system
– CFED – Compact Field Effects Device for mobile deployment
– RFX-400 – A drone-mounted HPRF payload designed to fly into swarms
Since that original test, we’ve refined the core test stand behind it all—boosting peak field strength, expanding spectrum agility, and enabling higher repetition rates. These innovations align closely with the DoD’s evolving electromagnetic threat landscape.
Why We Still Think This Matters
As the RF and directed energy space continues to evolve, creative testing and real-world scenarios remain critical. That one scorched propeller launched a line of systems still serving labs, agencies, and integrators today.
It’s a reminder that innovation often begins with curiosity—and that the threats we face are changing fast. (Here’s how EMP risks are shaping test standards today.)
