The First Combat Tests Of Laser Weapons Took Place In The UK
At the Hebrides testing ground, the British Ministry of Defense successfully tested the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon system.
During testing, the system destroyed approaching drones from different positions and from a distance of several kilometers. Although DragonFire’s range is classified, the ministry said the system is a line-of-sight strike weapon capable of striking “any visible target.”
DragonFire’s laser weapon is accurate enough to hit a 1 British pound coin from a kilometer away. The diameter of this coin is only 23 mm.
The tests took place at a test site in Scotland, and the British Ministry of Defense took an “important step” towards adopting the technology into service. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said the technology could reduce “dependence on expensive munitions, as well as reduce the risk of collateral damage.”
It was also noted that both the British Army and Navy are considering the use of laser weapons in their advanced air defense (air defense) systems. Note that the UK will not be the first country to use lasers as weapons – the US Navy has already installed laser air defense systems on several destroyers.
The creation of DragonFire was made possible thanks to a joint investment package of the Ministry of Defense and industry in the amount of 100 million pounds, the statement noted.
