British Army tests laser weapons against drones (video)
The British Army has conducted the first successful test of a high-energy laser weapon mounted on a Wolfhound armoured vehicle. During the tests at the Radnor training ground in mid-Wales, the laser system destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles by directing an intense infrared beam at them.
Here's What We Know
The laser weapon, developed in collaboration between the UK Ministry of Defence and Raytheon UK, uses advanced sensors and tracking systems to precisely target a target in real time. Unlike traditional munitions, laser systems have a virtually unlimited supply of "ammunition", making them a cost-effective alternative.
During the tests, soldiers from the 16th Royal Artillery Regiment successfully tracked and destroyed drones at various distances, speeds and altitudes. The tests demonstrated the laser system's ability to quickly and effectively neutralise unmanned threats.
A drone shot down by a laser weapon. Illustration: Raytheon UK
Context.
With the increasing use of drones in modern conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, developing effective countermeasures is becoming critical. Laser weapons offer a solution that can protect troops from drone attacks while providing cost-effective and operational advantages on the battlefield. We have already written about Hits a coin from 1km away and a shot costs just $13: UK tests DragonFire laser weapon for the first time in the UK and the first experiments with British Army tests powerful laser weapon from Wolfhound combat vehicle for the first time in July 2024.
South Korea and the French Navy also have plans to deploy laser weapons against drones. Israel should be the first country in the world to adopt laser weapons; the country has long been conducting Israel successfully tested the Iron Beam laser system, shooting down a drone, a mortar round and an artillery shell (video) and Rafael demonstrates the combat performance of the ship's Iron Beam laser weapon, which destroys drones and missiles this system.
