DragonFire (weapon)
| DragonFire | |
|---|---|
 A DragonFire laser test-fired in the Hebrides Range in Scotland, January 2024 | |
| Type | Directed-energy weapon,Laser weapon |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2027 (planned) |
| Used by | British Armed Forces |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | UK DragonFire |
DragonFireis a Britishlaser directed-energy weapon(LDEW). It was first unveiled to the public as atechnology demonstratorin 2017 at theDefence and Security Equipment International(DSEI) conference in London and is being developed by UK DragonFire, a collaboration consisting ofMBDA UK,Leonardo UK,QinetiQand theDefence Science and Technology Laboratory(dstl).[1]A production version is expected to enter service in 2027 onboardRoyal Navyships.[2]
Development
[edit]The weapon was first shown publicly at the 2017 DSEI conference in London. Development of the technology demonstrator was to be carried out by a partnership between the BritishMinistry of Defence(MOD) and private industry. UK DragonFire is the result of contracts worth £100 million – of which £30 million was awarded by theMoD'sChief Scientific Advisor's Research Programme– from various companies, led by MBDA UK with QinetiQ, Leonardo,GKN,Arke,BAE Systemsand Marshall Land Systems participating, to develop a technology demonstrator.[3]
Trials were to begin in 2018, followed by a major demonstration in 2019; however, theCOVID-19 pandemicand technical problems caused delays. It was ultimately deployed on trials in 2022 on the ranges in theOuter Hebridesin Scotland.[4]According to MBDA, these initial low-power trials proved DragonFire's ability to track air and sea targets with exceptionally high accuracy. This was followed by high-power trials in November 2022, where the weapon engaged targets using its high-power laser in operationally representative scenarios.[5][6]DragonFire engaged an airborne target in exercises in Scotland in January 2024. The MOD stated: "The range of DragonFire is classified, but it is a line-of-sight weapon and can engage with any visible target. The precision required is equivalent to hitting a£1 coin(23 mm) from a kilometre away. "[7][8]However according to an article on Freethink, "On November 8, 2022, it revealed that the $115 million laser weapon had been fired at high power at targets, including a drone and metals like the ones used in ship hulls, at ranges up to 2.1 miles."[9]It has been tested against mortar rounds and drones,[10]and fitted to aWolfhoundarmoured vehicle.[11]The UK MoD claims the firing of the weapon, for 10 seconds, only costs £10 per shot or the equivalent of running a heater for one hour.[12]
In April 2024, the MOD announced that new procurement rules had increased the rate of development of the weapon and, as a result, it is expected to be in service onboard Royal Navy ships from 2027 instead of the originally planned 2032.[2]UK Defence SecretaryGrant Shappsstated that an early version of the weapon could be used by Ukraine against Russia as part of theRusso-Ukrainian War.[13]
Characteristics
[edit]DragonFire uses UK-pioneered beam-combining technology to deliver a laser beam with increased power density, reduced defeat times and increased effective range.[14]This is achieved, in part, through the use of tens of glass fibres; however, the full technical approach remains classified.[4]The laser and its associated targeting systems, including an electro-optical camera and second lower-power laser for imaging and tracking, are mounted to a turret.[4]The laser is reportedly in the 50 kW class and is designed to defend land and maritime targets from threats such as missiles and mortar rounds.[15]Its energy demands may be met by aFlywheel Energy Storage System(FESS), a joint UK–US innovation currently in development.[16]The range of the weapon is undisclosed classified information. Cost per firing is very low; it has been stated as £10.[13]
The UK envisages high-energy laser weapons, like DragonFire, onboard futureRoyal Navywarships,British Armyarmoured vehicles and fighter aircraft of theRoyal Air Force,including theBAE Systems Tempest;[17]it aims to demonstrate these concepts on board aType 23 frigateand aWolfhound armoured vehicle.[18]
Operators
[edit]Future operators
[edit]
United Kingdom-
- Royal Navy(from 2027)[2]
Similar weapons
[edit]- Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon- a parallel development of a radio frequency directed-energy weapon
- Iron Beam(Israel)
- ALKA (weapon)(Turkey)
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Hughes, Owen (1 May 2017)."UK military to begin work on high-energy laser weapons for British armed forces".International Business Times.Retrieved19 July2022.
- ^abc"New procurement rules help rapid fitting of military laser to Royal Navy ships".GOV.UK.12 April 2024.Retrieved12 April2024.
- ^"Dragonfire: Laser Directed Energy Weapons".GOV.UK.13 September 2017.
- ^abcOsborne, Tony (17 July 2022)."UK Dragonfire Laser Begins Firing Trials".Aviation Week.Retrieved19 July2022.
- ^"Dragonfire proving trials underway".MBDA UK.17 July 2022.Retrieved19 July2022.
- ^"Laser power moves a step closer for UK defence".GOV.UK.8 November 2022.Retrieved8 November2022.
- ^"Advanced Future Military Laser Achieves UK First".19 January 2024.
- ^https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-68031257
- ^"UK test-fires its first high-energy laser weapon".30 October 2024.
- ^"Declassified video shows DragonFire laser weapon in action".New Atlas.11 March 2024.Retrieved17 March2024.
- ^"Breaking News: UK Plans To Test Laser Weapon Mounted on Wolfhound Armored Vehicle".Army Recognition.29 February 2024.Retrieved17 March2024.
- ^"UK tests a laser weapon that can hit a coin from a kilometer and costs just Rs 1,000 for a single fire".The Economics Times.12 March 2024.Retrieved15 April2024.
- ^abCasey, Ian; Beale, Jonathan (12 April 2024)."DragonFire: UK laser could be used against Russian drones on Ukraine front line".BBC News.
- ^"Case study: UK Dragonfire – Transforming future weapons technology".Qinetiq.23 November 2017.Retrieved19 July2022.
- ^Tangermann, Victor (5 January 2019)."The UK's New" Dragonfire "Laser Weapon is Weirdly Steampunk".Futurism.Retrieved22 July2022.
- ^"UK & USA test naval power systems".GOV.UK.1 May 2019.Retrieved22 July2022.
- ^"Britain's 'Dragonfire' ship laser gun to get accuracy boost".Defense News.15 March 2021.Retrieved1 February2023.
- ^"Brits make new push for directed-energy weapons aboard vehicles, ships".Defense News.14 September 2021.Retrieved1 February2023.