UK to assess laser weapon potential
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to embark on a high energy laser demonstration programme, with a £30 million contract being finalised with an industrial team, UK Dragonfire, led by MBDA. MBDA made the announcement on 16 September in a company statement.
The contract will see the team carry out the Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) Capability Demonstrator programme. The programme will mature the key technologies for a high energy defensive laser weapon system and will culminate in the engagement of representative targets in land and maritime environments in a 2019 demonstration. It will also provide the body of evidence for future procurement decisions.
Led by MBDA, the UK Dragonfire consortium includes QinetiQ and Leonardo-Finmeccanica, with support from GKN, Arke, BAE Systems and Marshall ADG.
The UK Dragonfire proposal builds on MoD and industry investment in the areas of laser coherent beam combining, weapon systems command and control, advanced pointing systems and high power storage.
Dave Armstrong executive group director technical and UK managing director, MBDA, said: ‘Under MBDA’s lead, UK Dragonfire will put the UK at the forefront of high energy laser systems, capitalising on the experience of joint MoD/industry working in the complex weapons environment. Furthermore it advances the UK towards a future product with significant export potential, as well as providing opportunities for partnerships with other nations’ armed forces that have similar requirements.’
More from Land Warfare
-
![UK firm provides ruggedised tablets for Guarani programme]()
UK firm provides ruggedised tablets for Guarani programme
The Brazilian Army has ordered 410 GRiDCASE 2530 tablets with potential for more, says UK manufacturer GRiD Defence Systems.
-
![Embraer delivers first enhanced SABER M60 radars to Brazilian Army]()
Embraer delivers first enhanced SABER M60 radars to Brazilian Army
Acquiring the SABER M60 2.0 3D radars was part of the 2020-2023 Brazilian Army Strategic Plan - the first two have been delivered with four more to follow.
-
![Asio delivers mobile mission planning system to IDF]()
Asio delivers mobile mission planning system to IDF
The ORION mobile mission planning system is designed to aid situational awareness from individual Israeli soldiers to battalion commanders.
-
![General Dynamics lines up for Kuwaiti Abrams ammunition deal]()
General Dynamics lines up for Kuwaiti Abrams ammunition deal
Via the FMS programme, Kuwait would receive armour-piercing and high-explosive 120mm rounds plus 7.62mm machine gun ammunition.
-
![Brazilian Army progresses with project to modernise Leopard 1A5 BR]()
Brazilian Army progresses with project to modernise Leopard 1A5 BR
The Brazilian Army has released operational, technical, logistics and industrial requirements for the upgrade of part of its Leopard 1A5 BR MBT fleet.
-
![Indian Army attempts to solve long-running carbine conundrum]()
Indian Army attempts to solve long-running carbine conundrum
The Indian Army has lacked a carbine for more than 20 years – will the latest RfI lead to a viable solution?
