Royal Navy to receive DragonFire laser system
The DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon destroyed an aerial target at the UK's Hebrides range. (Photo: Leonardo)
The UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) made the decision to accelerate the laser programme from the demonstrational stage to an operational laser weapon.
A Royal Navy warship will be equipped with the UK DragonFire laser weapon system by 2027.
According to the UK Navy, a burst of the high-intensity beam costs US$12.5 (£10) to operate and can target drones, aircrafts and missiles to help counter threats, such as those currently faced by navies inthe Red Sea.
DragonFire is being developed as a cooperation between MBDA, Leonardo UK, QinetiQ, and the UK MoD's Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), with the next stages including further live firing, manufacturing and installing the laser.
Related Articles
UK sets out naval Directed Energy Weapon roadmap
Dragonfire illuminates the way forward for UK laser weapons
UK DragonFire laser weapon completes successful test
As previously reported by Shephard, the laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) system passed a significant milestone in January 2024 by successfully firing against aerial targets at the UK MoD's Hebrides Range off the northwest coast of Scotland.
The range of DragonFire has been classified, but the line-of-sight weapon can engage with any visible target, and the test firing was a first for the UK.
According to a BBC report, the UK defence secretary stated that the laser could also have "huge ramifications" for the war in Ukraine.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Norway invites four nations to talk partnerships over new frigates]()
Norway invites four nations to talk partnerships over new frigates
The US, the UK, France and Germany each have existing frigate programmes.
-
![Can the US Navy afford its plans to operate a manned/unmanned fleet?]()
Can the US Navy afford its plans to operate a manned/unmanned fleet?
Budgetary constraints and the annual procurement rate could impact the branch’s intention to have a hybrid fleet.
-
![Germany and Finland suspect “hybrid sabotage” of undersea infrastructure]()
Germany and Finland suspect “hybrid sabotage” of undersea infrastructure
Without naming a culprit, the defence ministers of both nations expressed concern about “deliberate” severing of undersea internet cables.
-
![US Navy commissions littoral ship Nantucket]()
US Navy commissions littoral ship Nantucket
The vessel will be the 14th Freedom-class littoral ship in the Navy’s current fleet.
