In a leap towards future warfare technology, the British Army has recently put Raytheon’s cutting-edge anti-drone laser weapon to the test, deploying it from a military vehicle. The announcement, made by Raytheon’s parent company, RTX Corp., marks a significant step in the evolving landscape of modern warfare, where drones have become a dominant presence.
This high-energy laser, with its primary mission to obliterate aerial drones, was tested aboard a British Army Wolfhound armored vehicle at Porton Down.
The backdrop to this technological advancement is the war in Ukraine, where the use of drones has reached unprecedented levels. Thousands of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have been deployed to monitor enemy movements, direct artillery, and execute bombings. This shift in battlefield strategies has inevitably spiked global interest in both drones and anti-drone technologies.
RTX Corp. highlighted the urgency of this development, stating, “The increasing prevalence, proliferation, and evolution of drone warfare make the rapid adoption of counter-UAS technologies ever more important.” The urgency is not just talk—the United States Army has already been utilizing Raytheon’s high-energy laser, boasting over 40,000 testing hours and more than 400 downed targets.
The test signifies a move towards advanced defensive measures, with the British Army now joining the ranks of those equipped to combat the aerial threats posed by drones. As drone warfare continues to reshape military tactics, the development and deployment of anti-drone technologies will likely become a cornerstone of modern defense strategies. The future battlefield is here, and it’s laser-focused.
(Source: Aviation Week | MSN)
