News of War Editor-in-Chief Casey Christie
Image credit - gov uk
UK Military Achieves Breakthrough with DragonFire Laser Weapon
London, United Kingdom
In a landmark achievement for the UK's defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has announced a major milestone in military technology with the successful high-power firing of the DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW). This groundbreaking event, which took place at the MOD’s Hebrides Range, marks the UK's first use of a high-power laser weapon against aerial targets.
The DragonFire system, a product of UK technology, boasts the ability to deliver a high-power laser over long distances with exceptional precision, akin to hitting a £1 coin from a kilometre away. This advancement is a significant step towards enhancing the accuracy of the UK Armed Forces while reducing reliance on costly ammunition.
Unlike conventional weapons, the DragonFire laser can engage targets at the speed of light, using an intense beam to inflict structural damage or more devastating effects if aimed at warheads. Remarkably, operating the laser for 10 seconds costs about the same as running a regular heater for an hour, making it a potentially cost-effective alternative for tasks currently performed by missiles.
The cost per shot of the DragonFire is less than £10, highlighting its potential as a long-term, economical solution in warfare. The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), in collaboration with industry partners MBDA, Leonardo, and QinetiQ, leads this innovative project on behalf of the UK MOD.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapp commented on the technology's impact, stating, "This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionise the battlespace by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition, while also lowering the risk of collateral damage." He emphasised the importance of investing in advanced technologies like DragonFire to maintain a competitive edge in a contested global environment.
Image credit - gov uk
The recent successful trial is a continuation of a series of triumphs for the DragonFire system, including previous demonstrations of its ability to accurately track moving air and sea targets at significant ranges. These achievements pave the way for the technology's integration into the Army and Royal Navy's future Air Defence capabilities.
Dr Paul Hollinshead, Dstl’s Chief Executive, expressed enthusiasm over the trials, noting the significant advancements in understanding and harnessing directed energy weapons. He underscored Dstl's vital role in preparing the armed forces for future challenges through decades of knowledge and experience.
The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a £100 million joint investment by the Ministry of Defence and its industry partners, fostering highly-skilled UK jobs in new, innovative technologies and marking a significant advancement in the UK’s LDEW capabilities.
In 2017, the MOD’s Chief Scientific Advisor’s Research Programme awarded a £30 million contract to the DragonFire consortium to explore the potential of LDEWs. Dr Nick Joad of DST highlighted DragonFire's unique application of science and engineering as the outcome of sustained investment and effort, providing a performance leap over similar systems.
Shimon Fhima, Director of Strategic Programmes for the MOD, acknowledged the success of the Hebrides trials, emphasising the UK's commitment to advancing these transformative technologies and bringing them into operational service.
This milestone in LDEW research and technology, achieved through partnership, signifies a cost-effective approach to meeting MOD needs while sustaining the UK industry's technological prowess and skill base.
As threats evolve globally, the UK continues to invest in and advance plans for integrating these game-changing technologies into active service.