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The UK Ministry of Defence has engaged aerial targets with a high-powered laser weapon for the first time, paving the way for a future low-cost alternative to missiles.
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Confirmed on 19 January, the UK Ministry of Defence purported that the DragonFire directed energy weapons system was so precise that it could target a “£1 coin from a kilometre away”.
While many of the DragonFire’s capabilities remain classified, the British government has confirmed that it is a line-of-sight weapon able to engage any visible target, with the beam strong enough to cut through a target.
Directed energy weapons systems have been billed as low-cost alternatives to missiles, with the energy required to fire the beam often costing less than £10 per shot.
DragonFire is a result of a £100 million joint investment by the Ministry of Defence and industry into directed energy. The DragonFire program was awarded £30 million by the Ministry of Defence’s Chief Scientific Advisor’s Research Program in 2017.
It was developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in collaboration with industry partners MBDA, Leonardo, and QinetiQ.
The development of highly precise directed energy weapons will keep warfighters safe and enable Defence to better utilise resources, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said.
“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,” Secretary Shapp said.
“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.”
The British government has confirmed that it will continue to invest in the program, according to MOD director of Strategic Programmes Shimon Fhima.
“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.”
