UK's DragonFire Laser, £100M Joint Venture, Hits Aerial Targets with ‘£1coin’ Precision

London: United Kingdom has achieved a ‘UK-first milestone in military technology with successful high-power firing of DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) against aerial targets during a trial at Ministry of Defence's Hebrides Range, as per ir Defence Ministry. DragonFire laser system, developed through a £100 million joint investment by UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) and industry partners, aims to enhance accuracy of UK Armed Forces while reducing dependence on high-cost ammunition.

DargonFire’s  £1 coin Precision Capabilities 

Led by Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), in collaboration with industry partners MBDA, Leonardo, and QinetiQ, DragonFire utilises ‘cutting-edge’ UK technology to deliver a high-power laser over long ranges. precision achieved is comparable to hitting a £1 coin from a kilometre away. weapon operates on a line-of-sight principle, engaging visible targets with pinpoint accuracy.

laser's ability to engage targets at speed of light is a key vantage, using an intense beam to cut through target and potentially leing to structural failure or or impactful outcomes if warhe is targeted. Notably, cost-effectiveness of laser is highlighted, with firing it for 10 seconds equivalent to cost of using a regular heater for just an hour. This positions DragonFire laser as a potential long-term, low-cost alternative for specific tasks currently carried out by missiles.

Weapon with ‘Revolutionary’ Potential: Shapps

UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps underlined ‘revolutionary’ potential of this weaponry, citing its ability to reduce reliance on expensive ammunition and lower risk of collateral damage. “This of cutting-edge weaponry has potential to revolutionise battlespace by reducing reliance on expensive ammunition while also lowering risk of collateral damage”, Shapps said.

MOD's investment in vanced technologies like DragonFire, as per Shapps, is seen as crucial in a highly contested world, maintaining a battle-winning edge and ensuring national security.

recent milestone, achieved through a series of successful trials, including first static high-power laser firing of a sovereign UK capability, demonstrates laser system's capability to engage aerial targets at required ranges. Both Army and Royal Navy are considering integrating this technology into ir future Air Defence capabilities.

Dstl's Chief Executive, Dr Paul Hollinshe, also highlighted significant progress me in realising potential opportunities and understanding threats posed by directed energy weapons during trials. MOD's recent announcement to fund a multi-million-pound program furr demonstrates commitment to transitioning this technology from research to battlefield.

DragonFire weapon system, resulting from a collaborative investment, supports highly-skilled jobs in UK's cutting-edge technologies. Dr. Nick Jo from DST praised innovative application of science and engineering, underlying DragonFire's superior performance compared to or systems in its class.

World-leing technology?

UK MOD's dedication to investing in game-changing technologies is furr underscored by Shimon Fhima, Director of Strategic Programmes, who stated importance of getting capability to warfighter in a world of evolving threats. “ DragonFire trials at Hebrides demonstrated that our world-leing technology can track and engage high-end effects at range. In a world of evolving threats, we know that our focus must be on getting capability to warfighter, and we will look to accelerate this next phase of activity,” Fhima said.

trials at Hebrides demonstrated world-leing technology's ability to track and engage high-end effects at range.