The British Army has fired a laser weapon from an armoured vehicle for the first time, successfully destroying flying drones.

The weapon works by directing an intense beam of infra-red light to destroy its target. Advanced sensors and tracking systems maintain lock-on and accuracy in real time.

Unlike conventional munitions, laser weapons are virtually limitless in terms of ammunition supply. This means that, for certain threats such as small uncrewed air systems, they could represent a more cost-effective alternative to current in-service weapons.

The High Energy Laser system was developed through a collaboration between DE&S and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory – known as Team Hersa – and an industry consortium led by Raytheon UK.

The laser was mounted on to a Wolfhound – a protected troop-carrying vehicle – where soldiers from 16 Royal Artillery were able to track and down hovering targets at Radnor Range in mid-Wales.

Warrant Officer Matt Anderson, trials manager for the British Army’s Mounted Close Combat Trials and Development Group, said: “Every engagement we’ve done has removed a drone from the sky.

“While we’ve been testing a variety of distances, speeds and altitudes, one thing has remained – how quick a drone can be taken out. It’s definitely a capability that could be added to the arsenal of weapons we use on the battlefield.”

The purpose of this capability demonstrator programme is to discover and test the potential future use of directed energy weapons (DEW) by the British Army.

Putting the demonstrator in the hands of the Army early will help inform future requirements and reduces the risks associated with future DEW acquisition. The intent is not to simply introduce these systems into service, but to use the demonstrators as building blocks for laser weapon capability in the UK.

Having already been tested by engineers from MOD and industry, the latest experiment by the Army should provide knowledge, information and experience to support future requirement decisions, ensuring the UK stays at the forefront of this novel and disruptive technology.

Stephen Waller, DE&S DEW team leader, said: “This is still an emerging technology, but the world has changed and we are seeing more use of drones in the battlespace. This requires a more cost-effective solution to protect our troops.

“Having the capability to track and eliminate moving drones will give UK troops a better operational advantage and these successful trials have demonstrated that we are well on our way to achieving this.”

James Gray, Chief Executive and Managing Director of Raytheon UK, said: “Our High-Energy Laser Weapon System has been used in operations globally, and now the British Army is experimenting with this game-changing capability.

“The success of this test is the result of the skill, dedication and vision of our scientists and engineers who have collaborated with the British Army to help fulfil its commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation.”

As well as Raytheon, Fraser Nash, NP Aerospace, LumOptica, Blighter Surveillance Systems and Cambridge Pixel have been involved in developing the weapon under a £16.8 million contract awarded by Team Hersa.

The next steps in the project include producing “learning from experience” for the whole project, and using that to inform future Laser DEW requirements for the Army.

.