The UK’s DragonFire laser has destroyed high-speed drones during a trial at the MOD Hebrides range in Scotland. The Ministry of Defence has announced a £316 million contract for MBDA to deliver the first ship-fitted system from 2027.
According to the MOD, the trials involved targets travelling at up to 650km/h. It included what it referred to as a UK first in above-the-horizon tracking, targeting, and engagement. It also highlighted the low cost per shot of the system as well as its claimed precision at long range. The DragonFire, it added, will be installed on a Type 45 destroyer on a significantly accelerated timeline.
“This high power laser will see our Royal Navy at the leading edge of innovation in NATO, delivering a cutting edge capability to help defend the UK and our allies in this new era of threat,” Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard MP said.
DragonFire is Europe’s first high-power laser system to enter service. According to UK Defence Journal, it is “one of NATO’s most advanced directed energy programmes.”
“This new 316 million pound contract award and news that DragonFire has successfully taken down high speed drones in the latest trials at the MoD’s Hebrides range shows just how vital Scottish expertise is to the UK’s national security,” Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said.
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