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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Recent trials of the UK’s DragonFire laser successfully destroyed high-speed drones, demonstrating above-the-horizon tracking and pinpoint accuracy. The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £316 million contract to MBDA UK, with plans to install the system on a Type 45 destroyer by 2027. DragonFire, a low-cost, high-precision system, is poised to be at the forefront of laser directed energy weapons and will provide the Royal Navy with a cutting-edge capability. This initiative highlights the importance of Scottish expertise and collaboration within the defense industry to bring advanced technology to warfighters.
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The Ministry of Defence has initiated Project NIGHTFALL, seeking a new ground-launched tactical ballistic missile with a range exceeding 500km and a 200kg payload. The missile must be accurate within a CEP50 of 5m, even in GPS-denied environments, and capable of striking targets within 10 minutes of launch from a mobile platform. With a target cost of £500,000 per unit (excluding the warhead), the MOD prioritizes scalability and rapid delivery, aiming for demonstration firings within nine months and serial production shortly thereafter. Industry is encouraged to respond by September 18th, with a follow-on competition and demonstration firings planned for 2026.
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John Q. Hosedrinker