UK unveils DragonFire laser weapon system in declassified footage

The UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), has unveiled declassified footage showcasing the DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) system's successful engagement of targets at the remote Hebrides Range.

The recently released footage captures the culmination of several years of work, with the DragonFire program initiated in 2017. The demonstration involved the engagement of a Banshee aerial target using the high-powered laser weapon demonstrator, Caliber.Az reports, citing the British military news portal Army Technology.

Despite the success of the capability demonstration, DragonFire has not yet secured a funded pathway into active service with the UK military. However, potential applications in countering drone threats, both on land and at sea, are being explored, particularly in response to evolving challenges witnessed during combat operations in Ukraine.

During a recent visit by select media, including Army Technology, to Dstl facilities at Porton Down near Salisbury, briefings were provided by Dstl and its defence industry partners, including MBDA, Leonardo, and Qinetiq.

The development of LDEW capabilities is gaining global attention, with several countries, including those in Europe and the US, expressing interest in adopting lower-cost methods to intercept aerial targets, mainly drones, at short ranges.

The UK government's commitment of approximately £30 million in 2017 to develop an LDEW capability demonstrator, later evolving into DragonFire, has seen around £100 million allocated to the program since then.

Despite DragonFire's capabilities, it remains labelled as a "capability demonstrator," and future developments may require a "second generation" system, contingent on funding decisions within the UK MoD. The industry consortium involved in DragonFire's development expressed readiness to advance the system pending further developments.

The consensus among officials is that additional testing and experimentation are necessary to refine and mature UK LDEW systems. This includes addressing components sourced overseas and adapting them for military use, as well as scaling the system for various applications.

Currently classified at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7, DragonFire is estimated to have a 50kW power range, adaptable based on requirements. The system could find application on existing Royal Navy platforms, such as the Type 45 air warfare destroyer, or be utilized as a land-based short-range air defence capability.

As laser and directed energy weapon systems mature, they are transitioning from experimental technologies to battlefield deployment. The US Navy has previously deployed an LDEW system, signalling the growing prominence of these capabilities in the military landscape. The development of such systems is also driving technological advancements across various defence sectors, with patents in the field witnessing a significant increase from 2003 to 2021.