The DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) system has achieved the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets during a trial at the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Hebrides Range, the MoD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) announced on 19 January 2024.
While the range of DragonFire is classified, it is a line-of-sight weapon that can engage any visible target.
“DragonFire exploits UK technology to be able to deliver a high-power laser over long ranges. The precision required is equivalent to hitting a GBP 1 coin from a kilometre away,” Dstl stated in a press release.
The latest trial, delivered by Dstl and the DragonFire programme’s partners – MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ – builds on a series of successful trials, including the first static high-power laser firing of a sovereign UK capability and demonstration of the DragonFire system’s ability to track moving air and sea targets with very high accuracy at long range.
“Laser-directed energy weapons can engage targets at the speed of light and use an intense beam of light to cut through the target, leading to structural failure or more impactful results if the warhead is targeted,” Dstl noted.
“Firing it for 10 seconds is the cost equivalent of using a regular heater for just an hour. Therefore, it has the potential to be a long-term low-cost alternative to certain tasks missiles currently carry out. The cost of operating the laser is typically less than GBP 10 per shot.”
“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,” UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps was quoted as saying in the Dstl press release.
“Investments with industry partners in advanced technologies like DragonFire are crucial in a highly contested world, helping us maintain the battle-winning edge and keep the nation safe,” Shapps added.
The UK DragonFire collaboration brings together the best of UK industry and leverages decades of weapon system manufacturing expertise to deliver enhanced layered air defence capabilities in the land and maritime domains.
The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a GBP 100 million (EUR 116.5 million) joint investment by industry and the UK MoD.
In 2017 the MoD’s Chief Scientific Advisor’s Research Programme awarded a GBP 30 million contract to the DragonFire consortium to demonstrate the potential of LDEWs.
Chris Allam, managing director of MBDA UK, was quoted as saying in a company press release, “Together, the DragonFire partners and Dstl are demonstrating exceptional UK capability in laser-directed energy weapons. The DragonFire system has been successfully proven to date and we are now closer than ever to having a unique weapon that will enable frontline commands to meet the rapidly changing threats they face.”
Mark Hamilton, managing director of Leonardo’s Electronics UK business, added, “UK Dragonfire is a great example of how a partnership-based UK enterprise approach can be successfully applied to a major national research and technology challenge. Leonardo is drawing on decades of laser technology heritage at our Edinburgh site in our work on the project. Our beam director technology is delivering ultra-precise tracking/pointing accuracy and stability, at long range, and whilst handling such high-power laser energy passing through it. We’re pleased to have successfully tested the system against a representative aerial target at varying ranges, altitudes and speeds, supporting the first UK high-energy laser (HEL) firing against aerial targets across its operational field of regard.”
Steve Wadey, group CEO of QinetiQ, stated, “Achieving the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets at the QinetiQ-managed MOD Hebrides range is a significant milestone. Our world-leading science and technology capabilities have been applied to the continued development of our advanced coherent beam-combining technology, which is delivering enhanced performance and scalability. I’m proud of the critical role we are playing in collaboration with industry partners and Dstl to support the development, test and evaluation of this sovereign capability.”
