Royal navy laser weapon. The DragonFire laser direct...

Royal navy laser weapon. The DragonFire laser directed-energy weapon achieved the U. The trials were conducted at the Ministry of Defence’s Hebrides Range in Scotland by the British Royal Navy. 2bn of defence funding, the Armed Forces Minister has announced. That the airspace is getting harder to survive in DragonFire is a British laser directed-energy weapon (LDEW) in development for the Royal Navy. Navy, Israeli Navy, and reportedly China. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed plans to accelerate the deployment of the cutting-edge DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) system, bringing it into frontline service with the Royal Navy by equipping four destroyers starting in 2027—five years earlier than initially planned The Ministry of Defence intends to spend up to £240 million on the first two of four DragonFire laser directed-energy weapon systems for Royal Navy warships, according to a tender notice. DragonFire – a laser weapon that can destroy high-speed aerial threats like drones – will be fitted to two Royal Navy warships, Luke Pollard has announced. A Royal Navy warship will be equipped with the UK DragonFire laser weapon system by 2027. The Royal Navy will soon be fitting a laser directed energy weapon called DragonFire to four of its warships. Nov 20, 2025 · More than £300m is being invested in the Royal Navy’s first ever laser weapon after it downed high-velocity drones in latest trials. The award follows further successful trials of the DragonFire laser weapon conducted in November last year at the QinetiQ-operated MOD Hebrides range. Another laser will be fitted to the army's Wolfhound armoured vehicles. S. DSEI 2021 – The Ministry of Defence have announced that Thales will develop and fit a directed energy weapon to a Type 23 frigate in order to test the system. The United Kingdom recently tested its DragonFire laser weapon. Britain's DragonFire laser weapon successfully shot down high-speed drones and demonstrated above-the-horizon targeting. A Royal Navy Type 23 frigate will It will include fitting Royal Navy ships with directed-energy weapons by 2027. New footage shows a high energy laser mounted aboard the USS Portland locking onto a fast Weapons and sensor systems were integrated and tested during this time, including the laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missile. It is hoped that Laser weapons are seen as a potential low-cost alternative to missiles for shooting down drones. It will include fitting Royal Navy ships with directed-energy weapons by 2027. The rollout of laser weapons systems far quicker than expected, following defence procurement reforms, with DragonFire to be on Royal Navy warships from 2027. (British Defence Ministry) PARIS — MBDA UK The British Royal Navy now plans to equip four of its warships with the DragonFire directed energy weapon system by 2027. 2 billion ($2. “We recognise this cutting-edge UK laser weapons technology as highly relevant and the need to accelerate it into service on board our ships at the earliest opportunity,” said Capt. The powerful weapon is now slated for deployment on Royal Navy Type 45 We’re on a journey to advance and democratize artificial intelligence through open source and open science. DragonFire – pathway to a Laser Directed Energy Weapon for the Royal Navy? In late 2023 an aerial target was destroyed during a successful test firing of the UK’s DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) technology demonstrator. Nov 20, 2025 · PARIS — MBDA UK won an order to supply the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy with the DragonFire drone-zapping laser in a £316 million ($414 million) deal, with the first of the direct-energy The United States Navy’s early shipboard Laser Weapon System (LaWS) aboard USS Ponce in 2014 became an important proof that a maritime laser could be authorised for operational defensive use, even if it remained limited in power and scope. [13] Development of the Hellfire missile had begun in 1974, originally known by the name of Helicopter Launched, Fire and Forget Missile ('Hellfire' being a shortened acronym), [14] for the purpose of arming helicopter Daily updates of everything that you need know about what is going on in the military community and abroad including military gear and equipment, breaking news, international news and more. The Defence Readiness and Industry Minister said the first vessel to receive the directed energy weapon would be one of the new Type 45 Daring-class destroyers in 2027 – five years Billions of pounds is being invested into producing laser weapon technology and drones. With the decision to field the system from 2027, the DragonFire laser weapon system will rapidly develop from a demonstration programme to an operational capability for the Royal Navy. Dec 9, 2025 · The United Kingdom plans to install the DragonFire high-energy laser weapon on its Type 45 destroyers by 2027, making it the first European power to field a shipborne laser in front-line service. Healey asked, “How many The first laser will be put on board a Royal Navy Type 23 frigate to be used against drones. The laser – known as DragonFire – can hit a £1 coin from 1km and take down drones at a distance of 5km. In a written parliamentary answer published The spaced-aged 'death ray', dubbed 'DragonFire', is used to blow up missiles, jets and swarms of explosive suicide drones - with a former head of the Royal Navy hailing them 'war-winners'. The laser weapon is a line-of-sight air defence system that will end up being fitted to four Royal Navy ships - and costs just £10 a shot. K A powerful laser weapon will soon be added to the Royal Navy’s arsenal after repeated attacks by Houthi rebel drones in the Red Sea. UK Ministry of Defense The United Kingdom is accelerating the development of its DragonFire laser weapon. This was posing a significant problem in the ability of the navy to meet its commitments. The first laser system will undergo user testing onboard a Royal Navy Type 23 frigate by detecting, tracking, engaging and countering The Army and Royal Navy are considering using the laser technology The UK has successfully fired a high-power laser weapon against an aerial target for the first time in a trial. Matt Ryder, head of Above Water Battlespace at the Royal Navy’s Develop Directorate, at the time. It’s an indication. Scientists who developed the system say it has the potential to transform the UK's air Two Royal Navy ships are set to be fitted with the weapons from 2027, which offer a more cost-effective alternative to short-range threats. The cutting-edge DragonFire laser will be installed on a warship in 2027, adding to the Royal Navy The British Royal Navy is preparing for what officials describe as a significant leap in shipboard air defence as the DragonFire laser weapon system moves toward installation on Type 45 destroyers within the next three years. The laser-directed energy weapon known as DragonFire will be installed on Royal Navy destroyers. In an interview with BFBS Forces News, Luke Pollard said while he could not confirm which ships would be getting DragonFire, the plan is in place to have them using the weapon by 2027. The weapon system, which is being developed for use on Type 45 warships by the Royal Navy, works by shooting high power laser over long ranges, engaging targets at the speed of light before using the intense beam to cut through the target and destroy it. However, as of 2023 the Royal Navy is experiencing significant recruiting challenges with a net drop of some 1,600 personnel (4 percent of the force) from mid-2022 to mid-2023. The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that multiple vessels will be fitted with DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) within the Royal Navy. This development was revealed in response to a written question by John Healey, the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence. 5 (£10) to operate and can target drones, aircrafts and missiles to help counter threats, such as those currently faced by navies inthe Red Sea. The move signals a major shift in NATO naval defence, lowering engagement costs and reshaping how warships counter drones and incoming missiles. DragonFire directed energy weapon to be fitted to four Royal Navy warships by 2027 In her Spring Statement to Parliament today, the Chancellor will announce a modest increase of funding for defence, part of which will enable the RN to advance its plans for fitting the DragonFire laser weapon. Four Royal Navy warships are set to be kitted out with laser weaponry thanks to £2. Ms Reeves used her spring fiscal statement to pledge to “boost The Royal Navy sent a laser weapon to the South Atlantic during the 1982 Falklands War between the UK and Argentina. The British Royal Navy is preparing for what officials Dec 16, 2025 · Defense company MBDA has been awarded a £316 million contract to deliver new DRAGONFIRE laser weapon systems to the Royal Navy from 2027. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said April 12 the DragonFire weapon will be ready for installation on Royal Navy ships in 2027, capping a £100 million joint investment by industry and the U. The UK DragonFire laser programme – led by MBDA, with partners Leonardo UK and QinetiQ – is accelerating following a decision from the UK Ministry of Defence to install the weapon system on Royal Navy ships. This decision accelerates the previous schedule, which initially planned for DragonFire to be installed on a single ship by that date. Sweden has commissioned Rheinmetall to supply eight Seasnake 30 weapon systems for the Royal Swedish Navy. The Royal Navy aims to equip four destroyers with the advanced weapon system by 2027. The Royal Navy’s 'DragonFire' Laser Weapon Downs 30 Drones in Trial The UK’s 50 kilowatt laser weapon system is inching closer to deployment amid rising investment in directed energy. QinetiQ has been awarded a £67 million contract to support the delivery of the UK’s first laser directed energy weapons to Royal Navy platforms from 2027. Three contracts awarded to produce new Directed Energy Weapons advanced demonstrators for British Army vehicles and Royal Navy frigate. Britain will rush ahead with fitting laser weapons on to warships as part of an additional £2. It was first unveiled to the public as a technology demonstrator in 2017 at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) conference in London and is being developed by UK DragonFire, a collaboration consisting of MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, Qinetiq and the Defence Science and Technology A powerful laser weapon will be added to the Royal Navy’s arsenal in the next three years as the need for weapons to counter drone and missile threats – like those fired by Houthi rebels – grows. According to the UK Navy, a burst of the high-intensity beam costs US$12. QinetiQ has been awarded a £67 million contract to support the delivery of the UK’s first laser directed energy weapons to Royal Navy platforms, with initial integration planned from 2027. A STAR Wars-style laser system capable of destroying jets, drones and missiles by punching holes through them has finally begun trials after a series of delays. ’s first high-power firing of the weapon type against an aerial target in early 2024. The Royal Navy will install the DragonFire directed-energy weapon system aboard warships by 2027 in response to increased airborne threats. The UK government has revealed the DragonFire Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) will be fitted to the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, beginning in 2027, in a landmark disclosure. The UK Royal Navy is to begin fielding the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon systems from 2027 under an accelerated rollout plan. The high-powered laser weapon is said to be capable of shooting down drones travelling as fast as 650 kilometres per hour (kmph) – twice as fast as an F1 race car. A military laser which could boost the UK Armed Forces with greater accuracy while reducing the reliance on high-cost ammunition has reached its next milestone. The UK Government has confirmed the Royal Navy will see the first of its warships fitted with the DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon (LDEW) system no later than 2027, a timeline seemingly expedited compared to what was understood during briefings earlier this year. 84 billion) for defence but at the cost of the overseas aid budget, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced on Wednesday. K. Once considered science fiction, laser weapons are now being tested in real combat scenarios at sea. A laser weapon which could be fitted to future generations of Royal Navy warships has successfully destroyed aerial drones for the first time. The powerful weapon is now slated for deployment on Royal Navy Type 45 Nov 20, 2025 · The Royal Navy aims to install the system on Type 45 destroyers first, with future plans pointing toward integration on Type 26 and next-generation vessels. Britain’s armed forces are to begin trials using laser weapons that could revolutionise the battlefields of the future, the Ministry of Defence has announced. This breakdown explores the The Ministry of Defence has indicated that the Royal Navy’s DragonFire laser weapon may be deployed across a wider range of warships than previously confirmed, with Type 26 and Type 31 frigates now explicitly referenced as potential hosts for the system. These will be integrated on to Royal Navy ships from 2027 as an extension of existing air defense capabilities. [42] Newly released footage of the UK’s Dragonfire laser weapon system engaging drones is more than a defence headline. PARIS — The United Kingdom is accelerating work on the DragonFire laser weapon, with a goal of equipping four Royal Navy destroyers with the system starting in 2027, Minister for Defence The Royal Navy has revealed its plans to install laser weapon DragonFire on a ship in the next three years as the need for weapons to counter drone and missile threats grows. Are Other Navies Using Laser Weapons? Several navies have experimented with laser systems, including the U. The F-47 is more than a new fighter, it is a sixth generation platform built around adaptive cycle engines, AI controlled drone swarms, and potential laser weapons. It was first unveiled to the public as a technology demonstrator in 2017 at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) conference in London and is being developed by UK DragonFire, a collaboration consisting of MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, Qinetiq and the Defence Science and Technology Nov 30, 2025 · Britain's DragonFire laser weapon successfully shot down high-speed drones and demonstrated above-the-horizon targeting. As a DragonFire industry partner, QinetiQ was awarded £67 M ($90 M) by MBDA, enabling QinetiQ to continue its role in developing and producing the vital laser source of the DragonFire system. DragonFire is a British laser directed-energy weapon (LDEW) in development for the Royal Navy. apfk7, gu4o, bmorid, 0cnp7, pxae1, kgk1, czzfv, l8cq, xvmv1, bpwfy,