The UK Ministry of Defense has signed three contracts to develop demonstration models for ground-based and ship-based laser systems.
The main advantage of this type of weapon – virtually unlimited ammunition. Because the radiant installation fires until it stops receiving energy from the power supply.
The UK Ministry of Defense has signed three contracts to develop a demonstration of weapons with targeted energy transfer. They plan to start testing them in 2023, and all work should be completed by 2025.
Thales UK, which has won two contracts, will develop a laser system to counter drones on board the frigate, as well as a radio frequency system demonstrator. The latter will have to monitor air, ground and sea targets. It will be installed on a MAN SV truck.
The third contract was signed with Raytheon UK for the creation of a laser demonstrator of the Wolfhound armored vehicle.
Laser weapons now require relatively high currents, which conventional diesel generators or auxiliary power plants cannot always provide.