Britain’s DragonFire directed-energy weapon initiative continues through its validation and appraisal period, with supplementary tests ongoing to facilitate its deployment aboard a Royal Navy destroyer from 2027.
Addressing a query posed by MP James Cartlidge, Defence Secretary Luke Pollard clarified that the initiative is being executed using what he termed an innovative acquisition method, designed to hasten schedules and roll out functionality sooner, albeit in a restricted version.
Pollard mentioned that, subsequent to a triumphant prototype test, DragonFire was fast-tracked for expedited progression. Supplementary tests are presently employed to define what the Ministry of Defence labels a “foundational deployable asset.” This illustrates a step-by-step strategy, deploying an initial functional apparatus before gradual refinements are made.
He affirmed that “the installation of this system on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer by 2027 is proceeding as planned”, indicating that existing appraisal work aligns with the aforementioned schedule, instead of signifying a rigid completion date for the experiments.
Conceived in Britain, DragonFire is a laser-powered directed-energy weapon manufactured by a collaboration involving MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, QinetiQ, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Unveiled to the public initially in 2017, the mechanism has completed numerous trials across the UK, encompassing evaluations at the Hebrides proving ground where it successfully located and intercepted airborne threats. This weapon’s purpose is to confront threats such as UAVs and mortar shells, utilizing a powerful 50-kilowatt laser, consistent with prior disclosures.
This system unifies multiple glass-fibre lasers into a singular beam and occupies a turret, accompanied by tracking sensors like an electro-optical camera. Experiments have evinced substantial accuracy, as the Ministry of Defence had previously declared its exactitude akin to striking a tiny coin at a one-kilometre range. The reach of the system remains undisclosed, however, it is believed to operate using a direct optical path.
Among the principal characteristics emphasised by the Ministry of Defence is its remarkably affordable cost per firing, reported to be roughly £10, a stark contrast to the much higher cost of traditional missile interceptors. Being an electrically operated mechanism, DragonFire furthermore diminishes the need for inventoried ordnance, potentially affecting prolonged missions where replenishments are limited.
The initiative’s operational debut has been advanced from an earlier scheduled point later this decade, subsequent to favourable tests and supplementary financial investment. Aside from its inaugural naval deployment, this innovation is likewise being examined for deployment on ground vehicles and conceivably in airborne contexts.