| Raytheon UK announced integration of new laser weapons for the British army |
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| Raytheon UK has announced the beginning of the integration of its new 15-kW laser weapons on the Wolfhound armored vehicle for the British army. This significant development is part of the Land Demonstrator program for the British Ministry of Defense. |
The United Kingdom has been actively developing laser technologies for military purposes since the use of lasers during the Falkland War in 1982. Although the new 15-kW laser weapons may seem less powerful compared to the 300-kW system developed by Lockheed Martin, it has proven effective against drones and other threats. Its capability to target vulnerable sensors and electronics, coupled with its low power requirements, makes it suitable for installation on vehicles.
The integration of this laser system is a crucial step in building a multi-tiered air defense system that can seamlessly interact with other components on land, water, or in the air.
Rapid and thorough testing of the system was conducted in the United States, where it successfully detected, tracked, and destroyed dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles. Leveraging the experience gained in creating eight laser systems for the U.S. army, over 400 targets were destroyed during 25,000 operating hours. The integration process for the British army is taking place at the new Raytheon UK center located in Scotland.
Julie Finlamon-Odell, the Director of Weapons and Sensors in Raytheon UK, underscored the importance of this breakthrough technology: “The emergence of this advanced technology marks a significant milestone in our partnership with the Ministry of Defense in utilizing directed energy to counter various threats.”