Britain advances laser self-defence for aircraft

In response to a question from Labour MP Luke Akehurst on funding for the air protection laser self-protection system, Defence Minister Maria Eagle outlined the collaborative approach being taken.

She stated that:

“Defence is working with several industry partners to generate a UK Defensive Aids Suite in order to provide Air Platform Protection for all three services. Under the banner of Team Pellonia, working with Thales, Leonardo, and Chemring Countermeasures, Air Command, supported by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is cohering activity to generate and deliver a future suite of air platform protection measures, of which a laser self-protection system is one component.”

The programme has benefited from research funding across various Ministry of Defence (MOD) areas and is now classified as a Defence Equipment and Supply (DE&S) Programme. Successful trials of the laser self-protection system have been conducted, involving collaboration between Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) scientists and industry partners. Eagle noted that these trials exemplify the joint work between the MOD and the UK Defence Industry.

However, she added, “Detailed Programme costs cannot be provided in the interests of National Security,” underscoring the sensitive nature of the initiative’s financial details.

Recently we reported that RAF pilots are on the brink of receiving cutting-edge protection with a laser self-protection system, after successful trials proved its capability to defend against missile threats. The system was tested in Sweden, achieving a 100% success rate in intercepting multiple infrared heat-seeking missiles.

A new air protection laser defeated 100% of threats during recent live-fire trials. It’s been designed to fit a range of RAF aircraft and can rapidly detect and defeat incoming missiles.

The system has been developed by @Leonardo_UK @ThalesUK and @dstlmod pic.twitter.com/5pUT0jCeAR

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) October 20, 2024

The air protection laser is part of an ongoing collaboration between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and industry partners Leonardo UK and Thales UK, known collectively as Team Pellonia. The system will be fitted to RAF aircraft like the Shadow R2 and A400M transporter, enabling them to swiftly identify and neutralise missile threats.

During the live-fire trial at the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden, the system intercepted and defeated multiple missile targets with pinpoint accuracy. The success of the trials demonstrates the capability of Thales’s Elix-IR threat warning system and Leonardo’s Miysis directed infrared countermeasure to provide state-of-the-art protection for UK forces.

Defence Secretary John Healey spoke of the importance of advanced defence technology: “Identifying, tracking and defeating threats from the air in seconds is crucial to having the edge over those who try to do us harm. We’re equipping our Armed Forces with the very latest technology to keep them safe and give them the advantage on operations.”

Mark Elson, Chief for Air Survivability at Dstl, also highlighted the importance of innovation and collaboration: “The UK defensive aids system is the culmination of MOD’s detailed understanding of changing threats alongside years of sustained defence investment in science and technology nurtured within Dstl. This has been aligned with the development capabilities of our commercial partners through Team Pellonia.”

The system uses advanced algorithms to filter out background noise, detecting only valid threats, which are then neutralised by the laser with precision targeting. Senior military officials from NATO countries observed the trials.

Leonardo’s Senior Vice-President of Radar and Advanced Targeting, Mark Stead, remarked: “Miysis DIRCM has again proven itself as a reliable, effective protection system and is flying operationally on many platforms today.”