Milestone Achieved: UK Witnesses First High-Power Firing of Advanced Future Military Laser

 In a groundbreaking trial at the MOD’s Hebrides Range, the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system has made history by achieving the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets. While the range of DragonFire is classified, it is known to be a line-of-sight weapon with the ability to engage any visible target.

Exploiting cutting-edge UK technology, DragonFire can deliver a high-power laser over long ranges, requiring precision equivalent to hitting a £1 coin from a kilometer away.

Laser-directed energy weapons operate at the speed of light, using an intense beam to cut through targets, causing structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted.

Remarkably, firing DragonFire for 10 seconds costs the equivalent of using a regular heater for just an hour, making it a potentially long-term, low-cost alternative to certain missile tasks. The operational cost of the laser is typically less than £10 per shot.

DragonFire is a collaborative effort led by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) on behalf of the UK MOD, working in partnership with MBDA, Leonardo, and QinetiQ.

This milestone demonstrates the capability to engage aerial targets at relevant ranges, marking a significant step towards integrating this technology into active service. Both the Army and Royal Navy are considering adopting this technology for their future Air Defence capabilities.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps expressed the potential impact of this cutting-edge weaponry, stating, "This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionize the battlespace by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition, while also lowering the risk of collateral damage."

Investments in advanced technologies like DragonFire are seen as crucial for maintaining a battle-winning edge and ensuring national security.

Building on previous successful trials, including the first static high-power laser firing and the tracking of moving air and sea targets, the MOD recently announced plans to fund a multi-million-pound program to transition the technology from research to battlefield use.

The latest trial, sponsored by the MOD’s Defence Science and Technology (DST) organization and Strategic Programmes, adhered to all regulatory and safety approval requirements.

Dstl’s Chief Executive, Dr. Paul Hollinshead, highlighted the significance of these trials in understanding the opportunities and threats posed by directed energy weapons. He emphasized that Dstl's expertise is crucial in helping the armed forces prepare for the future.

The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a £100 million joint investment by the Ministry of Defence and industry, supporting highly-skilled UK jobs in cutting-edge technologies.

In 2017, the MOD’s Chief Scientific Advisor’s Research Programme awarded a £30 million contract to the DragonFire consortium to demonstrate the potential of Laser Directed Energy Weapons.

Dr. Nick Joad from DST emphasized the innovation behind DragonFire, stating, "DragonFire uses cutting-edge science and technology and delivers much greater performance than other systems of a similar class. DragonFire provides a step-change in our ability to deal with high-performance and low-cost threats."

Shimon Fhima, Director Strategic Programmes for the MOD, highlighted the success of the DragonFire trials and emphasized the importance of getting capability to the warfighter amid evolving threats.

LDEW research and technology, delivered in partnership, proves to be a cost-effective way of meeting the needs of the MOD while maintaining the UK industry’s technology and skills base. The UK defence continues to invest in these game-changing technologies, advancing plans to bring them into active service.

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