DragonFire was created by the UK Ministry of Defence. It is expected to provide near-range air defense for naval ships. It can also stop uncrewed enemies, such as flying robots, mortars, and protect military forces against rockets and mortars.
DragonFire uses a unique coherent beam-combining technology to create scalable laser systems. This system uses two lasers to produce one beam. The laser can also be linked to a beamdirector, which allows targets to be tracked with extremely precise precision. DragonFire is capable of dismantling steel targets at up two miles. It can also produce up 50 kilowatts. It is expected that it will deliver powerful laser effects, without the need for ammunition or any other materials.
DragonFire, currently under development by a UK-based consortium of industry and Ministry of Defence (MoD), is in the process of being completed. The consortium comprises MBDA UK UK GKN Arke QinetiQ and BAE Systems. It will be used to defeat enemy aircraft, helicopters, drones, and other aerial targets.
DragonFire is currently being developed in parallel to MoD's Novel Weapons Programme. The program was established to help the MoD develop new weapon systems that can deal with modern threats, including the development of hypersonic missiles by China and Russia. Scientists have been asked by Western officials to devise a countermeasure to these missiles.
DragonFire leverages expertise across Dstl. This includes Qinetiq's 50-kilowatt phase -combined-laser design. It also contains advanced command and controlling systems and image processing capabilities. The next step is to combine these results to determine how well the laser can track targets from different distances.
The UK Dragonfire consortium has been busy building a new weapon demonstrator for UK Ministry of Defence. Dstl gave a contract for the consortium to test the MoD's laser directed energie weapons in January 2017. The tests will verify the effectiveness of the new weapon and provide insight into the UK's use of high-energy lasers.
The first test of the DragonFire laser weapon was held at the Porton Down science park test range in Wiltshire, where researchers tested the new laser. It was then used against a variety different targets including small drones and larger metal targets at different distances. Experts from multiple fields attended this demonstration.
This trial was intended to determine the physical limits and accuracy of the laser weapon. It will be able to deliver powerful laser beams with pinpoint accuracy. This trial validated the laser’s ability to generate useful effects as well as provide effective protection for military troops. The next stage will see the demonstrator being engaged against real-world targets. The trial will culminate in a major demonstration in 2019
The DragonFire laser installation can intercept and destroy unmanned aircraft and missiles in midair. It also protects naval ships and ground forces. The laser installation uses electric power rather than ammunition, and has been developed to meet the MoD's requirements for a new laser weapon.