Raytheon laser takes out aerial target in groundbreaking trial with British Army
The laser was fired from a British Army Mastiff. (Photo: Raytheon)
The trial is the latest stage of the Ministry of Defence’s Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) demonstrator programme.
Raytheon has fired a laser against a quadcopter UAS from a British Army vehicle using soldiers trained on the weapon’s targeting and tracking technologies, an exercise described by the company as a first.
The test involved Raytheon’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) as part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) demonstrator programme.
The test took place at a military range in Wales using a British Army Wolfhound armoured personnel carrier.
Related Articles
German Armed Forces successfully concludes laser weapon demonstrator trials
UK DragonFire laser weapon completes successful test
The system operates by directing a beam of energy toward its target, using advanced sensors and tracking systems to maintain lock-on and accuracy in real time.
According to Raytheon “it has proved effective in real-world conditions, validating its potential as a game-changing technology in modern warfare”.
Earlier this year, Raytheon’s HELWS was the first laser weapon integrated and fired from a land vehicle in the UK. That happened as part of a joint programme between Raytheon UK and Team Hersa, the joint LDEW enterprise between the Defence and Science Laboratory and Defence Equipment and Support.
Matt Cork, head of Team Hersa, said: “By integrating advanced directed energy technologies onto armoured platforms, we’re not only proving the feasibility of these game-changing systems but also accelerating their path to operational readiness.”
Other companies involved include Fraser Nash, NP Aerospace, LumOptica, Blighter Surveillance Systems and Cambridge Pixel. The work is occurring under a £16.8 million (US$21.5 million) contract awarded by Team Hersa.
The next steps in the project include producing learning from experience for the whole project, and using that to inform future LDEW requirements for the army.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles]()
Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
-
![Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options]()
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
![2025 land market review: British Army woes, European heavy armour and US MBT progress]()
2025 land market review: British Army woes, European heavy armour and US MBT progress
The last year has seen several major procurements in the land market. Shephard’s Dr Peter Magill reviews the main trends and themes in land procurement of 2025.
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs]()
Croatia orders Leopards and CAESAR howitzers as Lithuania orders more CAESARs
The Leopard is becoming the tank of choice in central and eastern Europe as Croatia joins Lithuania, the Czech Republic and Hungary in ordering the platform. Lithuania and Croatia have also signed for CAESAR howitzers.
-
![Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)]()
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.
