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Raytheon UK is about to begin testing its first high-energy laser weapon system in the United Kingdom.
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The rechargeable 15-kilowatt laser is designed to be used in stopping aerial threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles and protecting infrastructure, as part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Demonstrator program.
The system will be tested in difficult weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold, rain, sleet, and snow.
During previous testing in the United States, it was able to successfully acquire, track, target, and destroy multiple drone targets in short-range attack, swarm attack, and long-range threat scenarios.
A total of eight high-energy laser weapons have been delivered to the US military and have defeated more than 400 targets over 25,000 operational hours.
“The arrival of this transformative technology is an important milestone in our collaboration with the Ministry of Defence on using directed energy to address a variety of threats, from drones and UAVs to more complex missile systems,” said Julie Finlayson-Odell, Raytheon UK weapons and sensors managing director.
“This system is a culmination of decades of investment, research, and innovation and its arrival reflects our continued commitment to help fulfil a key strategic objective of the UK’s Integrated Review, which is to understand how directed energy weapons can safely and effectively operate alongside other elements of the UK’s armed forces.”
Raytheon UK was previously contracted to develop and install the laser system on a UK Wolfhound armoured vehicle in 2021. The company has recently opened an advanced laser integration centre in Livingston, Scotland, for testing, fielding, and maintenance of Raytheon’s defensive laser weapons.
