MoD finalises £30m contract for laser weapons

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is finalising the agreement of a £30 million contract with MBDA UK Ltd to produce a Laser Directed Energy Weapon Capability Demonstrator.

The project will assess innovative laser directed energy weapon technologies and approaches, culminating in a demonstration of the system in 2018/19.

The contract will examine how the system can acquire and track targets at range, in varying weather conditions, over land and water, and, crucially, with sufficient precision to enable safe and effective engagement.

Nick Joad, from the MOD’s Defence Science & Technology, said: “This is being made possible under the disruptive capabilities initiative that the MOD is delivering to ensure it retains the ability to have a decisive edge through the use of advanced technology and is part of a suite of advanced technology and systems studies and demonstrations.

Peter Cooper, of the Dstl, said: “This is a significant demonstration programme aimed at maturing our understanding of what is still an immature technology. It draws on innovative research into high power lasers so as to understand the potential of the technology to provide a more effective response to the emerging threats that could be faced by UK armed forces.