The British Armed Forces’ successful interception of a high-speed drone using its new DragonFire laser weapon system has sparked widespread reaction online. While many are impressed by the technology’s capabilities, some remain skeptical about its battlefield effectiveness.
In a historic first, the UK military successfully downed a supersonic drone using the DragonFire high-energy laser system. The British Ministry of Defence (MoD) hailed the achievement as a significant leap forward in air defense technology.
Development of DragonFire began eight years ago, undergoing complex and rigorous testing phases. Designed and manufactured entirely in the UK, it is now considered one of the most advanced and precise laser defense systems globally.
The British laser system boasts exceptional accuracy, reportedly capable of hitting a small coin from a kilometer away. Its precision is described as scalpel-like, making it highly effective at intercepting fast-moving aerial targets.
The MoD stated that the combat laser system successfully destroyed large drones traveling at speeds of 650 kilometers per hour – considered extremely fast for drones – during tests at a specialized military facility in Scotland.
The Royal Navy released a video showcasing the tracking and destruction of a drone using the DragonFire laser, demonstrating the new weapon’s capabilities and positioning Britain at the forefront of NATO’s technological advancements.
Notably, each laser shot costs only $12, a stark contrast to interceptor missiles like the Aster 30, which can cost over $2 million – making them 166,000 times more expensive. This makes laser technology a potentially attractive and economical option for air defense.
Based on these results, the MoD awarded MBDA a $414 million contract to produce and deliver the DragonFire system for deployment on Royal Navy ships to counter growing aerial threats.
European defense company MBDA will equip two British Type 45 destroyers with DragonFire laser platforms.
The question now is whether this technology will live up to its promise under real-world conditions.
