Britain has successfully fired a laser weapon from an army combat vehicle for the first time, the UK government announced today.
During trials, the system “neutralised” targets at distances in excess of 1km, officials said.
Matt Cork, programme lead of the government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), called the test a “pivotal moment.”
“This technology offers a precise, powerful, and cost effective means to defeat aerial threats, ensuring greater protection for our forces,” he said.
Dstl nows plans to test the capabilities in real-world scenarios.
Laser quests
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The government commissioned the laser to defeat enemy drones. Defence firm Raytheon UK led the system’s development.
Portable, affordable, and easy to operate, the weapon can track multiple targets. It can also engage faster than the speed of light, officials said.
The laser operates with a command and control function. It can integrate with wider battle management systems and fit on various platforms.
In the latest trials, engineers mounted the weapon on a Wolfhound, a six-wheeled truck that’s typically armed with a machine gun.
Operators then fired the laser at aerial targets.
James Gray, CEO of Raytheon UK, joined the government in celebrating the trial.
“Dstl has proven that the Raytheon high energy laser weapon system can track, engage, and defeat targets whilst mounted on a vehicle,” he said.
“We now look forward to the British Army experimenting with the weapon over the coming months and proving that the technology is battlefield ready.”
The next step in that mission is trials with military personnel. Slated for next year, the tests will join a growing range of British military experiments with lasers.
In May, the government released film from another test. The declassified footage showcased a more advanced weapon: the DragonFire.
The DragonFire promises a precise alternative to short-range missiles. Officials claim the laser can fry a coin-sized target from a kilometre away.