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The first UK-produced high-energy laser weapon has been successfully tested by the British Army in Wales.
Fired from a Wolfhound armoured vehicle, the laser destroyed flying drones with what the Army called an “intense beam” of infrared light. “Every engagement we’ve done has removed a drone from the sky,” said the Army trials manager.
“While we’ve been testing a variety of distances, speeds and altitudes, one thing has remained – how quick a drone can be taken out.” Laser ammunition is theoretically limitless, which is crucial if the conventional stockpile is limited.
The weapon was developed by Team Hersa, a collaboration between the MOD and a consortium led by Raytheon UK, as part of a contract worth nearly £17 million.
