The UK DragonFire laser weapon programme remains in its demonstration and evaluation phase, with further trials underway to support installation on a Royal Navy destroyer from 2027.
Responding to a parliamentary question from James Cartlidge MP, Defence Minister Luke Pollard outlined that the programme is being delivered through what he described as a new procurement approach intended to accelerate timelines and introduce capability earlier in a limited form.
Pollard indicated that, following a successful demonstrator trial, DragonFire was moved forward for accelerated development, with additional trials now being used to shape what the Ministry of Defence terms a “minimum deployable capability”. This reflects a phased approach, where an initial operational system is fielded before being incrementally improved.
He stated that “we are on track to install this capability on a Royal Navy Type 45 destroyer in 2027”, suggesting that the current evaluation activity is aligned with that timeline rather than a fixed end date for trials.
DragonFire is a British-developed laser directed-energy weapon being built by a consortium including MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, QinetiQ and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. First revealed publicly in 2017, the system has undergone a series of trials in the UK, including testing at the Hebrides range where it has tracked and engaged aerial targets. The weapon is designed to counter threats such as drones and mortar rounds, using a high-energy laser in the 50 kilowatt class, according to previously released information.
The system combines multiple glass-fibre lasers into a single beam and is mounted in a turret alongside tracking sensors, including an electro-optical camera. Trials have demonstrated a high degree of accuracy, with the Ministry of Defence previously stating the precision is comparable to hitting a small coin at a distance of one kilometre. Its range remains classified, though it is understood to operate as a line-of-sight system.
One of the key features highlighted by the Ministry of Defence is the comparatively low cost per shot, which has been described as around £10, significantly lower than conventional missile interceptors. As an electrically powered system, DragonFire also reduces reliance on stored munitions, which may have implications for sustained operations where resupply is constrained.
The programme has been brought forward from an earlier in-service date later in the decade, following successful trials and additional funding. Beyond its initial deployment at sea, the technology is also being explored for use on land platforms and potentially in the air domain.
Good it’s confirmed.
I thought it had been confirned it was confirmed ages ago?
Still, good to get another confirmation!
Mmm Defence blog has just reported another GBAD system RapidRanger supplied to Ukraine by us! How many systems is that now?by my count it’s 3 isn’t it,pity we can’t seem to actually buy some for ourselves!
Funny. Rapid Ranger was strongly uggested in sevetal quarters as an interim replacement for the HVM Stormer we gave to UKR for 12 RA.
The then CGS was photographed touring the factory.
It then never happened for some reason.
Maybe they were always meant for UKR?
Apparently Patria is the chosen platform for our own Stormer replacement, when it gets ordered.
😆 🤣!
One MOD project when I worked there was announced and renounced 7 times over a 3 year period.
SOP when experiencing bad news, reannounce an announced decision.
Oh,I know. Highlighted that myself here often enough.
I fully expect much of the fabled, mythical DIP to be full of such reannouncements.
It’s all “new” you know.
That and the endless rebranding of long established organisations, so they too are “new.”
Isn’t it more DAIP Defence Avoid Investment Plan at this point? I mean, it’s only six months late and everything is being pushed down the tracks because of it except for the NMH project because Leonardo did what they had to do and said order now or we are closing the factory.
On kit and any thoughts of even modest expansion, yes.
As others have said, the extra spending is on infrastructure and other needed support so far.
Indeed, and if I was still there, I’m sure my last 6 months would have been writing up a myriad of long announced and soon to be reannounced wunderwaffe into the Blue Book.
DIP will be more of the same, with some chocolate sprinkles to sweeten it.
‘Chocolate sprinkles’? Oh things like a ‘MOD will undertake programme to consider a ground based interceptor for the UK’ – sexy, long term and can be slid easily into the grass when the news of the moment calms down.
Nice to have some positive news for once when it comes to kit for our armed forces. Pleasant change.
ME too 🤔
How long before 2027 slides to 2030 like everything else?
So could these be mounted atop a tall Sanger at certain land based CNI/KP as part of anti Drone measures?
Plugged straight into the National Grid?
Rapid Sentry seems to be a quite elegant solution to this issue – defending point HVTs rather than wide areas like a battlefield. Looks cheap enough too, just add some ‘almost Special Forces’ RAF Rgt and you’re off.
RAF Regiment already operate Rapid Sentry
Yea but they are part of 1 squadron that deals with UAV protection and they utilize other kit as well, i.e. jamming so I doubt they many. Maybe 1 flight of 3? Pure guess though.
Given their successes in Iraq hopefully the use will be expanded.
Rapid Sentry though, surely needs a human on site to reload, where’s Dragonfire recharges.
The personnel and LMM needed to cover many KPs would be prohibitive.
This seems a more efficient solution? If it can be rolled out at may sites and works? I note the issues J mentioned regards the NG.
Rapid Sentry doesn’t need a sufficiently robust electrical grid connection, which might not be available in Iraq where it’s currently swatting Iranian drones.
Even in the U.K., Dragonfire deployment may be restricted until the National Grid capacity expansion is completed.
Yes, good points, there are pros and cons with each.
Both seem very effective, I’d like to see many more Rapid Sentry purchased, it was not publicised it was even purchased in 24 until Thales showed a photo of it with the RAFR.
Dragonfire? Needs a lot more than that though. I’d say we’re looking at bolting that onto A HX 10×10 with an equipment cabin to run it and another manned truck to do the FCS.
It would still need the energy storage..National grid could power the flywheel capacitors ( FESS).. the one thing we don’t know is how many shots you get out of the FESS, before it needs to speed back up.
Poor pigeons and seagulls won’t know what hit them
9 Adverts.
No wonder you’re stressed! 😉
Should we not be fitting Martlet onto all escorts and deployed RFAs as a priority. It’s clearly been hugely successful in UKR and in Iraq with the RAF Reg.
I know the RN likes to send it’s vessels with bare minimum in self defence so maybe this is too sensible.
For God’s sake GET ON WITH IT
This is cutting edge stuff, with completely novel power management.. it’s not a get on with it sort of project.
I know lasers and high energy weapons take time but this is mainly known technology and Dragonfire was first shown in 2017, more trials and maybe we will have it on 1 ship in 2027. And now moved to accelerated development !
I’m showing my age but it’s “Brian the Snail” slow 🐌.
Contrast that with other “known technology” which required an unbelievable uplift in industry to produce a weapon and with a former partner doing everything they could to hinder us.
The “High Explosive Research” project was kick started in Jan 1947 after the US imposed the Mahan Act, we exploded the resulting Device in Oct 1952 and the UKs 1st Atomic Bomb delivered to the RAF 13 months later.
Perhaps it’s limited to being fitted to a Type 45 only after its had the PIP, or did they already have sufficient excess electricity for it? 🤔
Interestingly the US is having a bit of a hiccup in its laser programmes with a lot of abandonment and restructuring.. they have essentially stopped their high energy programmes and seem to be focused on getting a 10kw system operational.
Do we know what went wrong?
They’re also desperately trying to restart their rail-gun programme which they previously abandoned.
Well after not getting it to work reliably and it being far to expensive to operate, Japan had gone down its own route and decides to make it work and although expensive its way cheaper than a missile.
They’re apparently trying to get details of how the Japanese succeeded… they just can’t stand others, even allies, having a technical superiority 🤷🏻♂️