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UK Ministry of Defence Unveils £30M Laser Weapon Prototype
Revolutionizing Modern Warfare
Power With-In
October 01, 2023
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £30 million contract to a consortium called UK Dragonfire to develop a prototype laser weapon. The project aims to explore the utility of "directed energy" technology for the armed forces. The prototype will undergo various tests, including target acquisition and tracking under different conditions. The technology has the potential to counter a range of threats like drones, missiles, and roadside bombs. A successful demonstration could lead to operational deployment by the mid-2020s.
The UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has been instrumental in aiding the Ukrainian armed forces against Russia's invasion. Dstl has leveraged its expertise in various domains, including counter-drone technology, electronic warfare, and armor protection. The organization has also provided innovative solutions for camouflage and concealment to enhance the survivability of equipment gifted to Ukraine by the UK. Armed Forces Minister James Heappey praised Dstl's contributions, stating that their efforts have not only sustained Ukraine's defense but also positioned them for potential victory.
An airborne laser (ABL) is a laser system operated from a flying platform, as in the:
Soviet/Russian Beriev A-60 (1981, active)
American Boeing YAL-1 (2002-2012, scrapped)
An American modified NKC-135A unit (1975-1984, in storage.)
The United States developed airborne lasers in the late 1970s and early 1980s. They used a special type of laser mounted on a modified airplane to shoot down missiles. The laser beam had to be adjusted to overcome problems caused by the air and make sure it hit the target accurately. After the Gulf War, they improved the technology and mounted it on a modified Boeing 747. This made the United States a leader in airborne laser technology. For more information, look into the Boeing YAL-1.
The laser uses a mixture of chlorine gas, iodine molecules, hydrogen peroxide, and potassium hydroxide to work. When hydrogen peroxide reacts with chlorine, it creates heat, potassium chloride, and singlet delta oxygen. This singlet oxygen lasts for about 45 minutes and cannot change states. It easily transfers its energy to the iodine atoms in the gas. When the iodine atoms collide, they quickly transfer energy and emit laser light at a wavelength of 1.315 μm. This laser works at low gas pressures and fast speeds, efficiently removing heat. The laser produces potassium chloride, water, and oxygen as byproducts, but a halogen scrubber removes any leftover chlorine and iodine.
