Britain Unleashes a Giant Laser to Blast Drones from the Sky
Drones are increasingly menacing the skies above, whether as buzzing nuisances destroying a scenic locale’s peaceful vibes or wielded as a kamikaze drone spreading terror. As such, world militaries are intensely interested in anti-drone weaponry right now. Take the latest demo from the British Armed Forces to take down these suckers: shooting them out of the blue with a powerful laser beam. The country’s Ministry of Defense recently tested the DragonFire laser at a facility in Scotland, according to a statement, where it was able to successfully shoot down high speed drones that “fly up to 650 km/h [404 miles per hour] — twice the top speed of a Formula 1 car.” A video posted by the UK Defense Journal shows the laser technology, developed by European defense firm MDBA, being deployed aboard Royal Navy ships so it can counter attack drones from would be adversaries. “The accuracy is razor sharp,” a voiceover says in the video. “It can hit a £1 coin a kilometer away.” The system’s also relatively thrifty to operate; it only cost $13 dollars to shoot a beam, compared to typical missiles which can be many times that amount. That’s a huge plus in light of the problems that the US Navy encountered in the Red Sea, where it’s have been contending with attack drones from Houthi rebels in Yemen. In a nutshell, America has spent almost a billion dollars on missiles — up to $2.1 million dollars per launch — to shoot down relatively cheap drones launched by a ragtag army with little resources. Because of the British laser’s effectiveness, the ministry awarded MDBA a $413.7 million contract to produce and deliver the DragonFire laser for use on Royal Navy ships. In the past, engineers developed combat lasers to take down flying objects just like drones, but they were unreliable and complex to use. But in recent years, advancements in engineering have made lasers for defense use way more robust and powerful, making them ready for battlefield operations. And not a moment too soon — the war in Ukraine has revolutionized the use of drones for military use and increased its availability, complicating the defense strategies of many countries since drones are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain and can be designed for versatile combat operations, from dropping bombs on targets to assassinating individuals. To neutralize these buzzing machines, soldiers in the field have been using net guns and other tools. But a powerful laser beam could be a game changer. More on drones: Florida Unleashes Autonomous Police Cruisers That Deploy Thermal Imaging Drones
In This Article:
- DragonFire Test in Scotland Destroys High Speed Drones
- Laser Beams Cost a Fraction of Missiles
- MDBA Wins Big with a 413.7 Million Contract for DragonFire
- From Unreliable Lasers to Battlefield Ready Systems
- Drones Redefine Modern Warfare and the Laser's Role
- Conclusion and the Road Ahead for Drone Warfare
DragonFire Test in Scotland Destroys High Speed Drones
The DragonFire laser was tested at a facility in Scotland, according to a statement, where it was able to successfully shoot down high speed drones that “fly up to 650 km/h [404 miles per hour] — twice the top speed of a Formula 1 car.” A video posted by the UK Defense Journal shows the laser technology, developed by European defense firm MDBA, being deployed aboard Royal Navy ships so it can counter attack drones from would be adversaries. “The accuracy is razor sharp,” a voiceover says in the video. “It can hit a £1 coin a kilometer away.” The system’s also relatively thrifty to operate; it only cost $13 per beam, compared to typical missiles which can be many times that amount. That’s a huge plus in light of the problems that the US Navy has encountered in the Red Sea, where it has been contending with attack drones from Houthi rebels in Yemen. In a nutshell, America has spent almost a billion dollars on missiles — up to $2.1 million per launch — to shoot down relatively cheap drones launched by a ragtag army with little resources. Because of the British laser’s effectiveness, the ministry awarded MDBA a $413.7 million contract to produce and deliver the DragonFire laser for use on Royal Navy ships. In the past, engineers developed combat lasers to take down flying objects just like drones, but they were unreliable and complex to use. But in recent years, advancements in engineering have made lasers for defense use way more robust and powerful, making them ready for battlefield operations. And not a moment too soon — the war in Ukraine has revolutionized the use of drones for military use and increased its availability, complicating the defense strategies of many countries since drones are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain and can be designed for versatile combat operations, from dropping bombs on targets to assassinating individuals. To neutralize these buzzing machines, soldiers in the field have been using net guns and other tools. But a powerful laser beam could be a game changer. More on drones: Florida Unleashes Autonomous Police Cruisers That Deploy Thermal Imaging Drones
Laser Beams Cost a Fraction of Missiles
The system is also relatively thrifty to operate; it only costs $13 per beam, compared to typical missiles which can be many times that amount. This economic edge matters in modern conflicts where drone swarms can overwhelm expensive missiles. In the Red Sea and elsewhere, the United States has spent nearly a billion dollars on missiles — up to $2.1 million per launch — to shoot down relatively cheap drones launched by a relatively resource-poor adversary. The DragonFire program aims to provide Royal Navy ships with a portable, high-precision defense against fast, inexpensive aerial threats while reducing the cost per engagement. A video posted by the UK Defense Journal shows the laser technology, developed by European defense firm MDBA, being deployed aboard Royal Navy ships so it can counter attack drones from would be adversaries. The DragonFire laser’s performance suggests a potential shift in how navies counter drone threats in littoral environments, offering a cheaper alternative to missiles while maintaining precision.
MDBA Wins Big with a 413.7 Million Contract for DragonFire
Because of the British laser’s effectiveness, the ministry awarded MDBA a $413.7 million contract to produce and deliver the DragonFire laser for use on Royal Navy ships. The agreement underscores a broader push to equip naval platforms with directed energy weapons as drones multiply in modern battle spaces. In the past, lasers were unreliable and complex to operate, but the technologies have matured. Advancements in engineering have made lasers robust and suitable for battlefield operations, and the Ukraine war has underscored how drones can alter combat dynamics. The program aligns with a growing trend toward integrating compact, shipborne laser systems to counter aerial threats at the speed of light. The UK’s investment mirrors concerns about cheap, readily available drones and the need for cost-effective countermeasures on surface ships.
From Unreliable Lasers to Battlefield Ready Systems
In the past, engineers developed combat lasers to take down flying objects just like drones, but they were unreliable and complex to use. But in recent years, advancements in engineering have made lasers for defense use way more robust and powerful, making them ready for battlefield operations. And not a moment too soon — the war in Ukraine has revolutionized the use of drones for military use and increased its availability, complicating the defense strategies of many countries since drones are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain and can be designed for versatile combat operations, from dropping bombs on targets to assassinating individuals. To neutralize these buzzing machines, soldiers in the field have been using net guns and other tools. But a powerful laser beam could be a game changer.
Drones Redefine Modern Warfare and the Laser's Role
The war in Ukraine has revolutionized the use of drones for military purposes and expanded their availability, complicating defense strategies around the world. Drones are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain and can be designed for versatile combat operations, from dropping bombs on targets to assassinating individuals. To neutralize these buzzing machines, soldiers in the field have been using net guns and other tools. But a powerful laser beam could be a game changer. Net guns and other tools have been used in the field, yet the growing effectiveness of laser systems promises a more scalable solution for countering drone swarms and aerial threats on modern battlefields. Florida Unleashes Autonomous Police Cruisers That Deploy Thermal Imaging Drones remains a related piece of coverage to consider as the technology ecosystem evolves.
Conclusion and the Road Ahead for Drone Warfare
The DragonFire program illustrates how laser countermeasures are moving from experimental concepts to battlefield tools as drones proliferate across conflict zones and borders. Governments are investing in directed energy to protect ships, bases, and airspace while attempting to keep costs manageable in the face of swarms and cheap drones. As history shows, technology often accelerates faster than policy, and the ethical, legal, and strategic implications of laser countermeasures will continue to unfold as drone warfare becomes more accessible and more dangerous.
