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Breaking News: British Army Deploys Laser Weapon from Wolfhound Armored Vehicle for First Time to Counter Drones.
The British Army has successfully deployed a laser weapon system mounted on an armored vehicle, marking the first operational use of such technology in the field. The High Energy Laser (HEL) demonstrator, developed through a collaboration between Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), and Raytheon UK, was successfully tested in October 2024 at Radnor Range in Wales.
The British Army has successfully deployed a laser weapon system mounted on an armored vehicle, marking the first operational use of such technology in the field. (Picture source: British DoD)
This test, a key step in the development of directed energy weapons, saw the laser mounted on a Wolfhound vehicle, an armored troop-carrying platform used by the British Army. Soldiers from the 16th Royal Artillery Regiment tracked and destroyed a series of drones in flight, demonstrating the HEL system’s effectiveness against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in real-world conditions. The ability to engage and neutralize aerial threats using a directed energy weapon marks a turning point in the Army’s approach to countering fast-moving and mobile targets like drones.
The test was made possible through collaboration between DSTL, DE&S, and Raytheon UK. Together, they developed the system as part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s efforts to explore advanced, cost-effective, and scalable technological solutions to protect military assets against growing drone threats. This success is part of Project Swinton, a demonstrator for the Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) system, which showcases the viability of lasers as a future solution for countering uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS).
The rise of drones during the Ukrainian conflict has marked a turning point in modern warfare, with thousands of drones used by both sides for reconnaissance, attack, and intelligence missions. These devices, often small and inexpensive, have allowed Ukrainian forces to conduct targeted strikes on strategic objectives while bypassing traditional defense systems. At the same time, drones have proven effective tools for harassing and disrupting enemy lines, offering an excellent cost-to-effectiveness ratio compared to larger conventional weapons. In the face of this growing threat, it has become imperative for armies to have access to low-cost, efficient solutions to counter drones, including loitering munitions and surveillance UAVs. Technologies such as directed energy weapons, capable of destroying drones in flight with a much lower cost per shot compared to traditional munitions, have thus become essential for ensuring the protection of armed forces against this new form of asymmetric warfare.
The LDEW system works by directing an intense beam of infrared light in the form of energy toward its target using advanced sensors and tracking systems, which maintain real-time accuracy and lock-on. For security reasons, it has not been revealed how long the beam must stay in contact with the target before it is destroyed.
Stephen Waller, the Directed Energy Weapons Team Leader at DE&S, noted, “This is still an emerging technology, but the world has changed, and we are seeing more drones in the battlespace. This requires a more cost-effective solution to protect our troops.” Indeed, cheaper drone technologies are now available on the market thanks to advancements in the commercial sector. These drones can be used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions, but as inexpensive loitering munitions, they present a significant cost gap compared to the larger armored vehicles they disable.
This is particularly evident in Ukraine, where defense officials have confirmed that Ukrainian forces have deployed over 1.2 million drones in the last 11 months against invading Russian forces. By the end of 2024, they added, another 100,000 units are planned for delivery. In light of this reality, solutions like the LDEW system present a critical potential response to the growing drone threat.
The successful test at Radnor Range is not only a technical victory but also a strong signal of the British Army’s intention to continue investing in advanced defense technologies. By integrating directed energy weapon systems into armored vehicles like the Wolfhound, the Army is preparing for the future of defense vehicles, where the emphasis will be placed on advanced weapons and active defense solutions.
The trials at Radnor Range are part of a larger program aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of these technologies in real combat scenarios. The deployment of laser weapons could indeed revolutionize the way armies around the world respond to emerging aerial threats while reducing the costs and risks associated with traditional defense methods. The British Army, through partnerships such as those between DSTL, DE&S, and Raytheon UK, continues to demonstrate its commitment to staying at the forefront of defense innovation.