The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Ministry of Defence have successfully tested the DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) system, marking the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets. The DragonFire, developed in partnership with MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ, offers pinpoint accuracy and low long-term costs. The system can engage targets at the speed of light, using an intense beam of light to cut through targets. The cost of operating the laser is typically less than £10 per shot. Both the Army and Royal Navy are considering using this technology in future air defence capabilities.
DragonFire’s Precision and Cost-Effectiveness
DragonFire’s precision is equivalent to hitting a £1 coin from a kilometre away. The laser-directed energy weapon can engage targets at the speed of light, using an intense beam of light to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted. The cost of operating the laser is typically less than £10 per shot, making it a potential long-term low-cost alternative to certain tasks currently carried out by missiles.
This is a really innovative application of science and engineering and is the fruit of sustained investment and effort. 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.”
Dr Nick Joad, DST
Collaboration and Future Applications
The DragonFire project is led by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), on behalf of the UK MOD, in collaboration with industry partners MBDA, Leonardo, and QinetiQ. The recent milestone demonstrated the ability to engage aerial targets at relevant ranges, marking a significant step towards bringing this technology into service. Both the Army and Royal Navy are considering using this technology as part of their future Air Defence capabilities.
Defence Secretary, Grant Shapp, highlighted the potential of this cutting-edge weaponry to revolutionise the battlespace by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition and lowering the risk of collateral damage. Dstl’s Chief Executive, Dr Paul Hollinshead, also commented on the trials, stating that they represent a significant step forward in understanding the opportunities and threats posed by directed energy weapons.
The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a £100 million joint investment by the Ministry of Defence and industry. 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 LDEWs. The MOD recently announced its intention to fund a multi-million-pound programme to transition the technology from the research environment to the battlefield.
Dr Nick Joad from DST praised DragonFire as an innovative application of science and engineering, delivering much greater performance than other systems of a similar class. Shimon Fhima, Director Strategic Programmes for the MOD, also commented on the trials, stating that the technology demonstrated its ability to track and engage high-end effects at range.
LDEW research and technology is delivered in partnership and is a cost-effective way of meeting the needs of the MOD while maintaining the UK industry’s technology and skills base. UK defence continues to invest in these game-changing technologies and is advancing plans to bring them into service.
The DragonFire trials at the Hebrides demonstrated that our world-leading 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 the warfighter and we will look to accelerate this next phase of activity.”
Shimon Fhima, Director Strategic Programmes for the MOD
Quick Summary
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has successfully tested the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon, marking the country’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets. The laser, which can engage targets at the speed of light and offers high precision at a low operating cost, could provide a cost-effective alternative to certain tasks currently performed by missiles.
- The UK’s Ministry of Defence and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) have successfully tested the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system, marking the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets.
- The DragonFire system, developed in partnership with industry partners MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ, can engage targets at the speed of light and uses an intense beam of light to cut through targets.
- The system offers high precision, equivalent to hitting a £1 coin from a kilometre away, and is a potential low-cost alternative to certain tasks currently performed by missiles. The cost of operating the laser is typically less than £10 per shot.
- The Army and Royal Navy are considering using this technology as part of their future Air Defence capabilities.
- The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a £100 million joint investment by the Ministry of Defence and industry. In 2017, a £30 million contract was awarded to the DragonFire consortium to demonstrate the potential of LDEWs.
- The Ministry of Defence recently announced its intention to fund a multi-million-pound programme to transition the technology from the research environment to the battlefield.
