The UK Ministry of Defence has announced the successful firing of a high-powered laser weapon from a British Army combat vehicle. The test, conducted at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) range in Porton Down, showcased Raytheon’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) integrated onto a Wolfhound armored vehicle. The system successfully neutralized targets over 1 kilometer away, representing the first instance of a laser weapon being fired from a land vehicle in the UK.
Watch the moment a laser weapon was successfully test-fired from a @BritishArmy Wolfhound
The tests saw the Raytheon High-Energy Laser Weapon fired at full power from the armoured truck
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The trial is a crucial step forward for the UK’s Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Demonstrator programme, which aims to advance counter-drone capabilities. The HELWS, designed to defeat NATO class 1 drones, is compatible with existing air defense systems, including radar and command and control platforms.
James Gray, CEO of Raytheon UK, highlighted the collaborative efforts that led to the successful test, emphasizing the rapid development made possible by partnerships with British small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the operationally proven technology from Raytheon. Matt Cork, Programme Lead at Dstl, praised the test as a “pivotal moment,” noting the system’s precise, powerful, and cost-effective nature in defeating aerial threats, thereby enhancing the protection of military forces.
Future plans include real-world scenario testing and further familiarization with the system by British Army soldiers. This phase aims to refine requirements for future capabilities and ensure the technology is battlefield-ready.Â
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