This isn’t science fiction. The British conducted a successful test of a laser weapon
The UK conducted a successful test of the “DragonFire” laser weapon. The new technology surprises not only with its precision, but also with low operating costs.
Air defense is currently based on homing missiles. They are used to shoot down enemy drones or planes.
Successful laser weapon test in the Hebrides
On Friday, January 19, the British Ministry of Defense announced a test that will most likely prove to be a breakthrough in the development of anti-aircraft defense.
A successful test of a laser weapon called “DragonFire” was carried out at a training ground in the Hebrides archipelago in Scotland. The program to create it was carried out in cooperation with the private sector and cost approximately £100 million.
The British claim that “DragonFire” is characterized by impressive precision. It is intended to make it possible to hit a coin-sized object with a laser beam – which moves at the speed of light – from a distance of a kilometer. However, the actual range is not disclosed.
A much cheaper alternative to rockets
Contrary to appearances, precision is not the greatest advantage of the new weapon. It is a much cheaper alternative to homing missiles.
The cost of firing one shot with ‘DragonFire’ is under £10. For comparison, the production costs of these rockets are counted in millions of pounds.
British Defense Minister Grant Shapps added that the new technology will “at the same time reduce the risk of collateral damage”, i.e. hitting an accidental target, which happens in the event of a failure of the missile’s self-guidance system.
Shapps said both the Army and Navy are already considering introducing “DragonFire” into their weapons.
