The DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) system has achieved the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets during a trial at the Ministry of Defence’s Hebrides Range.

The latest trial, delivered by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the DragonFire partners – MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ – builds on a series of highly successful trials, including the first static high-power laser firing, an indigenous UK capability, and demonstration of the DragonFire system’s ability to track moving air and sea targets with very high precision at long ranges.

The UK DragonFire collaboration leverages decades of weapon system manufacturing expertise to deliver enhanced layered air defence capabilities in the land and maritime domains.

The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a £100 million joint investment by industry and the UK Ministry of Defence, and together the companies involved are supporting highly skilled UK jobs in new cutting-edge technologies that are delivering a significant step-change in the UK’s capability in LDEW systems.

Also read: DragonFire | Static high power laser weapon system successfully trialled