The UK has tested a laser weapon installed on an armored British Army Wolfhound vehicle for the first time, marking a significant step towards the development of viable energy weapons for use in warfare. The Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Demonstrator program includes this endeavor, which is a major step toward turning laser technology into functional military hardware.
Since lasers were first developed in the 1960s, some have thought of them as potentially revolutionary weapons. The attraction of lasers is obvious: they are inexpensive, can move at the speed of light, may instantly engage many targets, and can cut through steel. Their “rounds” are also almost unlimited. But putting lasers from theory to practice has been difficult. Powerful enough to destroy targets, keep focus on moving targets, and compensate for air conditions like dust and fog are all necessary for effective laser guns. They must also be lightweight, sturdy, and portable. These objectives are now attainable thanks to recent developments, especially in solid-state lasers and beam combiners.
The recent tests, conducted by Raytheon UK, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) at Dstl’s Porton Down range in Wiltshire, showcased these advancements. Raytheon’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS), mounted on a Wolfhound vehicle, successfully engaged flying targets up to 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) away. This demonstration proved the HELWS’s capability to track and engage targets from a moving platform.
The HELWS is versatile, capable of being installed on various platforms as needed. It integrates with standard command and control systems and conventional battle management radar and surveillance systems. Already cleared for combat duty with US armed forces, HELWS is designed to defeat NATO class 1 drones.
The next phase of the LDEW program will focus on familiarizing British Army units with the laser weapon to optimize its battlefield application. James Gray, chief executive and managing director of Raytheon UK, emphasized the achievement, noting the rapid development facilitated by British SME partners and Raytheon’s proven technology. The successful test at Porton Down marks a significant milestone in proving the HELWS’s readiness for battlefield deployment.