UK defence and technology companies have joined up to develop the country’s first laser weapon, which could be mounted on ships to shoot down enemy jets and missiles or be used by ground forces to destroy incoming mortar rounds.
The Ministry of Defence is finalising a £30 million contract to produce a technology demonstrator that will evaluate lasers and examine how they could be deployed by the UK’s forces. It said Dragonfire will be tested to see how it can identify and track targets at different ranges and in a variety of weather conditions.
If this technology is regarded as viable, it could replace conventional systems. A laser only needs a power source to fire, whereas conventional weapons need ammunition or use missiles, which are relatively expensive and take up space. The prototype should be delivered in 2019; it is being built by a consortium that is led by Stevenage-based missile-maker MBDA and also involves Qinetiq, Leonardo-Finmeccanica, GKN, Arke, BAE Systems and Marshall.
Dragonfire is one of the systems being developed under the MoD’s £800 million Innovation Fund, “which aims to tap British ingenuity to give the UK military an advantage in battle and new capabilities by using advanced technology”.
MBDA technical director Dave Armstrong (pictured) said: “Dragonfire will put the UK at the forefront of high-energy laser systems, capitalising on the joint experience of the MoD and industry in the complex weapons environment. It also advances the UK towards a future product with significant export potential, as well as providing opportunities for partnerships with other nations’ armed forces.”
Norman Bone, managing director of Leonardo-Finmeccanica, which is contributing the systems that will direct the Dragonfire’s laser beam, said: “This demonstrator will be at the forefront of UK technology research, and it fits within our strategy to develop the next generation of laser systems.”