Britain’s DragonFire laser has destroyed high speed drones during recent trials at the MOD Hebrides range, with the Ministry of Defence announcing a 316 million pound contract for MBDA UK to deliver the first ship fitted systems from 2027, the organisation stated.

According to the MOD, the trials involved targets travelling at speeds up to 650 kilometres per hour and included what it describes as a UK first in above the horizon tracking, targeting and engagement.

The department highlights the system’s low cost per shot and its claimed precision at long range. It says DragonFire will be installed on a Type 45 destroyer on a timeline the government describes as significantly accelerated.

Defence Readiness and Industry Minister Luke Pollard MP said in the release “This high power laser will see our Royal Navy at the leading edge of innovation in NATO, delivering a cutting edge capability to help defend the UK and our allies in this new era of threat.”

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said in the release “This new 316 million pound contract award and news that DragonFire has successfully taken down high speed drones in the latest trials at the MoD’s Hebrides range shows just how vital Scottish expertise is to the UK’s national security.”

Senior industry partners also spoke on the programme’s momentum. Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, stated in the release “This latest contract for DragonFire is another significant milestone. It allows us to continue with the next phase of the programme and re affirms the UK’s intent to be at the forefront of laser directed energy weapons.”

QinetiQ Group CEO Steve Wadey said in the release “The DragonFire programme is delivering the ambition of the Strategic Defence Review, with industry experts working in collaboration with government to get disruptive, next generation technology into the hands of our warfighters at pace.”

Mark Stead, Senior Vice President for Radar and Advanced Targeting at Leonardo UK, said in the release “Leonardo has channelled its decades of experience developing world leading lasers to produce DragonFire’s beam director, which harnesses and directs the powerful laser energy on target.”

DragonFire is the first high-power laser system entering service from a European nation; it is one of NATO’s most advanced directed energy programmes.

Source: British laser weapon downs drones off coast of Scotland