MBDA-led DragonFire’s latest trials move the LDEW system closer to UK navy integration
The DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon is being developed for the Royal Navy’s Type 45 Daring-class destroyer. (Photo: Crown Copyright)
The DragonFire lines up with other European laser-directed energy weapons being developed in collaboration with MBDA.
After completing successful trials to shoot down high-speed drones, the MBDA-led DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) system has now been contracted by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to be delivered to the Royal Navy by 2027.
A £316 million (US$417 million) contract was confirmed on 20 November by the MoD, along with the announcement that the system had shot down drones in the MoD’s Hebrides range that were travelling at top speeds of 650km/h.
The DragonFire is set to be fitted to a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer by 2027, a date which the MoD noted was five years
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare]()
Industry sees opportunity in Australia’s shift to networked undersea warfare
Australia’s new defence innovation strategy indicates a shift from platform-centric to network-centric undersea warfare, with Ocius and Anduril Industries pointing to fast-growing opportunities for local industry.
-
![Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs]()
Asia-Pacific emerges as the largest export market for US-made USVs
Asian customers have placed one of the largest known international purchases of US-built uncrewed surface vessels, highlighting accelerating regional demand for autonomous maritime capabilities and distributed naval operations.
-
![RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV]()
RTX confirms US Marine Corps and US Navy acquire Hadalus UUV
RTX told Shephard that the Hadalus UUV has been procured by the US Marine Corps and the Office of Naval Research for operational experimentation as the company prepares additional demonstrations with the US Navy, NATO and AUKUS partners.
-
![Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand]()
Europe’s naval contractors benefit from growing refit and upgrade demand
Rheinmetall’s order to modernise the German Navy frigate Bayern points to a wider European shift towards extending warship service life as new-build programmes face delay.
