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Advanced / Transformational Technology

U.K. Tests Laser Weapon Against Air Targets

Monday, January 22nd, 2024

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U.K. Tests Laser Weapon Against Air Targets

The UK Ministry of Defense in January 2024 said it recently tested the DragonFire 50 kW laser weapon against aerial targets at Hebrides Range. (Photo: UK Ministry of Defense)

The U.K. recently tested its DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) against aerial targets in a high power firing, a first for the system. The DragonFire engaged the targets at the U.K. Ministry of Defense’s (MoD) Hebrides Range in this project milestone, the government said on January 19. While the government and industrial partners did not disclose specifics, they said the aerial targets were hit at “relevant ranges” and representative altitudes and speeds. The MoD underscored this is potentially a…

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