By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The UK Ministry of Defence has successfully tested its DragonFire high-power laser system, intercepting high-speed drones at up to 403 mph and signing a $413 million contract with MBDA UK. The system, which reportedly costs about $13 per shot, will be deployed on the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers from 2027. DragonFire aims to provide a cost-effective alternative to conventional missiles and is being developed by MBDA in partnership with QinetiQ and Leonardo, with its initial ship integration planned to test its viability under maritime conditions.
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DragonFire laser shoots down high‑speed drones traveling at 400mph, costs $13 per shot — UK Navy to begin deploying system on destroyers – that’s some seriously exciting news, isn’t it? The idea of a laser capable of vaporizing drones at such speeds and at that price point is definitely something out of science fiction made real. It’s easy to see why the UK Navy is keen to get these deployed on their destroyers. Imagine the tactical advantage of being able to instantly neutralize incoming threats.
Now, that $13 per shot figure really gets the imagination going. Is that just the cost of the electricity to power the laser, or are there replacement components involved? It’s a key question, because if it’s primarily an energy cost, the operational expenses are drastically different than if the laser has expendable parts that need frequent replacements. Even if there’s some maintenance, that price tag could potentially change the whole game. Thinking ahead, if the laser’s cost is largely the result of replacing components, there might come a day when the price drops further, with improvements to the laser technology or production processes.
The possibility of equipping this system to a Stryker IAV or other mobile platforms sparks interesting thoughts on battlefield dynamics, doesn’t it? The ability to knock down drones in Ukraine could be a huge game-changer. It’s easy to see how this technology could be a really valuable asset for modern militaries. Of course, the challenge then becomes scaling it down and making it robust enough to withstand the rigors of combat.
A key challenge is overcoming environmental hurdles. We’ve heard that these lasers can be affected by fog, rain, or dense atmosphere. These variables could make it less effective in certain environments. So, how will the DragonFire perform in these less-than-ideal conditions?
The range of the DragonFire is another factor to consider. If the range is 1km and a Shahed drone can travel at 185km/h, the DragonFire has only about 19.5 seconds to acquire, charge, and fire. What happens when a swarm of drones is coming at you? What about the response time in such a scenario? A single laser may not be enough to deal with multiple incoming targets.
The potential for counter-measures also needs considering. The possibility of reflective coatings on drones is a valid point. If you could make a drone highly reflective, would it effectively deflect the laser? It’s the same idea as having a missile with a heat shield.
The question of whether or not these systems can be miniaturized for use on aircraft is a compelling one. Imagine fighter jets or even interceptor drones equipped with these lasers. That could completely change the face of air combat, ending the drone supremacy for large-scale attacks.
The concept of integrating such a weapon system on a plane raises more technical questions as well. Can these systems be made compact enough? What about the aircraft’s power requirements? Then you need to consider how the vibrations on the plane affect the performance of the laser’s optics.
It’s natural to think about the broader implications, as well. Will this technology make drones obsolete? Will it spark an entirely new arms race? The rapid advancement of technology like this will certainly have a ripple effect.
Let’s not forget the fun aspects, the “cool” factor, of these laser weapons. The idea of lasers on warships, and maybe even on Boaty McBoatFace, has a certain appeal, doesn’t it? It has a distinctly futuristic feel.
The costs are important, though. While $13 per shot is impressive, especially compared to the price of conventional munitions, it is still a significant investment over time. It’ll be interesting to see how the overall cost of ownership compares to the effectiveness of the system.
While this may be true, the fact that the UK Navy is deploying this technology is undoubtedly exciting. It’s a huge step forward in laser weapon technology. The potential for the DragonFire laser to change the game on the battlefield is something we will need to observe closely as it is implemented and deployed.