Video Transcript
The United Kingdom government reported firing a military laser during a test at the Ministry of Defence Hebrides Range. The laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) is called DragonFire and is designed for use by the Royal Navy and the British Army against aerial targets.
DragonFire is a $127 million project led by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. In 2017, the Chief Scientific Advisor’s Research Program from the Ministry of Defence granted the project a $38 million contract to demonstrate its capabilities.
LDEWs use a beam of light to penetrate targets. The laser can hit a target at the speed of light and aims to cause at least a structural failure. The UK government did not disclose DragonFire’s range but stated that the line-of-sight laser’s precision is comparable to striking a coin slightly over half a mile away.
New Atlas reported that DragonFire relies on doped glass fiber bundles integrated into a classified beam-combining system. The laser, mounted in a turret, also includes a secondary laser and an electro-optical camera for beam focusing and target acquisition.
DragonFire could offer a cost-effective substitute for missiles. According to the UK government’s press release, operating the laser costs less than $13 per shot, and the cost of firing the laser for 10 seconds is similar to using a standard heater for one hour.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapp said such weaponry could revolutionize the battlespace by minimizing dependence on costly ammunition and reducing risks of collateral damage.
