The DragonFire directed energy weapon (DEW) system fired more than 300 shots in a recent test, “proving [its] consistency and reliability” according to the UK Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, in a parliamentary written statement at the end of June.
Naval Technology learned that this recent trial took place between March and June this year.
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The system – developed by a consortium comprising MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, QinetiQ, and Dstl – is said to have downed 30 drone targets, conducted high power firing in the rain, with serials focused on improving the targeting and tracking capability.
“These trials generate vital evidence and learning needed to improve and adapt these systems, and… will bring DEW systems into service quickly,” Eagle added.
Laser weapon systems respond to new threats centred around drones. The proliferation of low-cost armed small-uncrewed aerial systems and drone-swarming tactics have advanced the development of laser-based counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS), according to GlobalData’s ‘Directed Energy Weapons’ (2023) report.
While this threat permeates all conventional military domains, the Royal Navy plans to integrate DragonFire as a C-UAS secondary armament, or close-in weapon system (CIWS), on all six Type 45 destroyers by 2027.
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By GlobalDataThis will bring laser technology to the Navy five years faster than expected, according to an earlier statement from Eagle. Furthermore, the government has added to its nvetsment in the emerging capability with an extra £1bn investment in DEW systems as part of the Strategic Defence Review last month.
In January 2024, test firings had first proved the success DragonFire at the MoD Hebrides Range in Scotland.
This capability will be a major asset in an increasingly layered defensive system on British destroyers in addition to other new systems such as the 24-silo Sea Ceptor missile defence system.
All of this will be enabled by the Navy’s Power Improvement Project (PIP) modernisation, replacing two extant diesel engines with three larger units, which would include an additional diesel generator and the modification of the high voltage system on each vessel.
Utilising a novel hybrid electric drive system, the Type 45s have been beset by technical difficulties, with numerous instances of the vessels suffering electrical problems or even loss of power, particularly when operating in hot and humid temperatures such as found in the Middle East.
All six Type 45 destroyers will have completed the PIP by 2028.
