British army fires portable laser weapon: 'Destroys at the speed of light'

The United Kingdom Defence Secretary announced that the first firing test of the laser weapon, capable of destroying targets at the speed of light, was successfully completed.

The firing trials of the laser weapon, developed by American defense company Raytheon for the British Army, took place at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) site in Wiltshire, England.

This weapon, lightweight yet highly destructive, is the first 'portable' laser weapon capable of being mounted on a light-armored vehicle. The laser can also be mounted on an armored jeep or even a tank, enhancing the operational advantage of the vehicle it is added to.

The laser weapon does not require a human operator. It can autonomously track more than three targets and hit them at the speed of light from a distance of 1 kilometer.

'A MILESTONE'

The UK Ministry of Defence described the successful initial tests of the laser weapon as “a significant step forward for the Land Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) program.”

DSTL Chief Executive Dr. Paul Hollinshead stated, “This success marks an important milestone towards the active use of directed energy weapons.”

He added, “By working with DE&S (Defence Equipment and Support) and the defense industry to develop significant new weapons, we are preparing the armed forces for the future. Our soldiers will be able not only to detect but also to destroy new threats we will face in the future.”

NEXT, THE ARMY WILL TEST IT

Raytheon’s official statement highlighted that the laser is not only cost-effective but also easy to transport and use. The tests emphasized the value of LDEW weapons for the UK Ministry of Defence.

Hollinshead expressed his excitement, saying, “We now look forward to the British Army testing the weapon in the coming months and proving that the technology is ready for the battlefield.”

The UK Ministry of Defence plans to subject the laser weapon to a series of battlefield scenarios to ensure that the success recorded in firing tests can be replicated in combat. If the weapon passes these tests, it will be added to the British Army's arsenal.