Defence Online

DragonFire trial achieves UK first

Land January 26, 2024

A military laser which could boost the UK Armed Forces with greater accuracy while reducing the reliance on high-cost ammunition has reached its next milestone. During a trial at the MOD’s Hebrides Range, the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system achieved the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon ...

Laser power moves a step closer for UK defence

Homeland November 9, 2022

The MOD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has hosted the UK’s first high-powered, long range laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) trial on its ranges at Porton Down. The trials involve firing the UK DragonFire demonstrator at a number of targets over a number of ranges, demanding pinpoint accuracy from the beam director. These tests improve ...

Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) testing

Land March 29, 2017

Trials are being conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to assess the effectiveness of Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) in support of the LDEW Capability Demonstrator. Launched earlier this year, the programme is designed to develop a standalone laser directed energy weapon system and will culminate in a ...

Dragonfire secures laser weapon contract

Maritime January 6, 2017

The MOD has awarded a £30M contract for a Laser Directed Energy Weapon capability demonstrator to UK Dragonfire consortium. Led by MBDA, the consortium will test and assess innovative technologies in order to develop and demonstrate the system in 2019. Comprising partners from across the UK, the Dragonfire consortium includes MDBA, ...