The system uses a high-intensity beam of infra-red light to target and destroy drones with precision. Advanced sensors and tracking systems maintain real-time lock-on and accuracy, providing a virtually limitless supply of “ammunition” compared to traditional munitions.
The laser was mounted on a Wolfhound protected troop-carrying vehicle, with soldiers from 16 Royal Artillery conducting the tests. Warrant Officer Matthew Anderson, trials manager for the British Army’s Mounted Close Combat Trials and Development Group, remarked: “Every engagement we’ve done has removed a drone from the sky… it’s definitely a capability that could be added to the arsenal of weapons that we use on the battlefield.”
This technology, developed under the £16.8 million Laser Directed Energy Weapon programme, is a collaboration between the UK Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) and Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), alongside industry partners led by Raytheon UK. Other contributors include Fraser Nash, NP Aerospace, LumOptica, Blighter Surveillance Systems, and Cambridge Pixel.
Maria Eagle MP, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, stated: “This ground-breaking technology demonstrates Britain’s commitment to staying at the forefront of military innovation. The successful testing of this laser weapon system represents a significant step forward in our development of possible future defence capabilities and showcases British engineering excellence.”
The trials aim to assess the potential use of directed energy weapons on the battlefield, focusing on cost-effectiveness and operational benefits. Stephen Waller, Directed Energy Weapons Team Leader for DE&S, explained: “The world has changed, and we are seeing more use of drones in the battlespace. This requires a more cost-effective solution to protect our troops. These successful trials have demonstrated that we are well on our way to achieving this.”
Future steps will involve using the trial data to inform decisions on integrating Laser Directed Energy Weapons into the British Army’s arsenal. Matt Cork, Head of Team Hersa at Dstl, emphasised the broader potential of the technology: “This technology has the potential to offer a credible and cost-effective means to defeat a range of current and future threats, which would improve the effectiveness of our armed forces.”
Source: UK Ministry of Defence.
