DragonFire, all the details on the MBDA, Leonardo UK, QinetiQ and Dstl laser that the United Kingdom could send to Kiev
The UK's decision to consider sending a prototype of the DragonFire laser to Ukraine ahead of its full development and deployment, due in 2027, is indicative of the urgency and importance London places on Kiev's support against the threat Russian.
The UK is considering supplying Ukraine with an advanced prototype of the DragonFire combat laser, a system designed to intercept and destroy drones and missiles.
This move has significant geopolitical implications.
First, it demonstrates the intensification of Western military support for Ukraine in the context of the ongoing conflict with Russia, signaling a further commitment to countering the expansion of Russian military capabilities in the region. The DragonFire laser bid can also be seen as an attempt by the UK to reassert its role as a major player in post-Brexit European security. Furthermore, this action could be interpreted as a demonstration of the British willingness to experiment and use new military technologies in real scenarios, thus increasing the credibility and visibility of its defense industries.
Finally, providing such an advanced weapon to Ukraine could alter the strategic balance in the Ukrainian conflict, forcing a reflection on the nature and intensity of military aid provided by Western countries. This could push Russia to reconsider its strategies or intensify its search for technological countermeasures, increasing tension in the already volatile regional security situation.
THE LASER SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY MBDA UK, LEONARDO UK, QITEQ, DSTL
The DragonFire laser system, developed in the United Kingdom by MBDA UK, Leonardo UK, QinetiQ and Dstl, represents an advanced technology in the field of air defense, designed to intercept and neutralize threats such as drones and missiles with laser precision. This system uses directed energy technology, which allows you to hit and destroy targets with a concentrated energy beam, offering a fast and low-cost alternative to traditional missile interception systems.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE UKRAINIAN THEATER
The use of DragonFire in a war context such as the Ukrainian one would not only demonstrate its effectiveness in combat , but could also mark a significant advance in electronic warfare, influencing future global military strategies.
The DragonFire's ability to shoot down missiles and drones could reduce reliance on traditional munitions and improve defenses against air attacks, particularly useful in high-intensity scenarios such as the current one in Ukraine.
THE LONDON MOVE
The UK's decision to consider sending a prototype to Ukraine ahead of its full development and deployment, expected in 2027, is indicative of the urgency and importance that London places on supporting Ukraine against the Russian threat. This move could also accelerate the development and optimization of the DragonFire system, benefiting the UK defense industry and providing an important case study in the use of directed energy technologies in modern conflict.
THE CAPABILITIES OF THE LASER SYSTEM
Going into specifics, the Dragon Fire system can hit a coin-sized target from a distance of 1 kilometer. Compared to conventional missiles which can cost up to £1 million each to shoot down a drone, DragonFire can achieve the same result for less than £10 a shot. Furthermore, unlike missiles that can cause unwanted damage if misdirected, a laser beam disperses harmlessly into the atmosphere once it completes its trajectory.
Finally, we must not forget that from an operational point of view this system has been successfully tested in tracking and destroying long-range targets, including drones coming from different directions.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/innovazione/dragonfire-tutti-i-dettagli-sul-laser-di-mbda-leonardo-uk-qinetiq-e-dstl-che-il-regno-unito-potrebbe-mandare-a-kiev/ on Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:12:17 +0000.