2024-08-17 04:00:13
For the first time, the British Army has successfully tested a high-energy laser mounted on a combat vehicle.
The test marks a major step forward in the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land-Based Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) demonstration programme. The laser, capable of neutralising targets over a kilometre away, was fired from a Wolfhound armoured vehicle. This technology offers an effective and inexpensive solution to counter aerial threats, particularly enemy drones.
The test took place at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) range at Porton Down. Dstl, in collaboration with DE&S (Defence Equipment and Support) and several industrial partners, developed the laser system to strengthen the UK’s defence capabilities. The weapon has several advantages: it is lightweight, easily transportable and can be integrated into a variety of command, control and surveillance systems. According to Paul Hollinshead, Dstl’s Managing Director, this step is crucial in preparing the British Armed Forces to face future threats.
The laser tested operates at the speed of light, enabling rapid and accurate response against multiple targets. It is the first laser weapon of its type to be integrated onto a land vehicle in the UK. This technological innovation demonstrates the potential of directed energy weapons to transform modern warfare, providing increased protection for troops on the ground.
Further trials are planned later this year to assess the weapon’s performance in real-world scenarios to determine its capabilities and advantages on the battlefield.
Ultimately, this collaboration between Dstl, DE&S and industry aims to accelerate the adoption of new defence technologies, ensuring the UK has a strategic advantage. The success of this test could pave the way for the wider use of directed energy weapons in future military operations.
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