Raytheon UK to receive first laser weapon system for integration with British army

Europe, News September 16, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Raytheon UK is set to receive its first high-energy laser weapon system to be tested and integrated in the United Kingdom, the RTX British unit Raytheon UK announced on September 13, 2023.

According to the company statement, the “15-kilowatt laser is the latest development in the UK Ministry of Defence’s Land Demonstrator program.” Raytheon UK was awarded a contract in 2021 to build and install a high-energy laser weapon system on armored vehicles.

Managing director of weapons and sensors at Raytheon UK Julie Finlayson-Odell said, “The arrival of this transformative technology is an important milestone in our collaboration with the [UK] MoD on using directed energy to address a variety of threats, from drones and UAVs to more complex missile systems.”

Finlayson-Odell further highlighted that “This system is a culmination of decades of investment, research, and innovation and its arrival reflects our continued commitment to help fulfill a key strategic objective of the UK’s Integrated Review, which is to understand how directed energy weapons can safely and effectively operate alongside other elements of the UK’s armed forces.”

The high-energy laser weapon system is designed to counter aerial threats such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It has been tested in multiple fields, including difficult weather conditions with extreme heat, cold, rain, sleet, and snow.

British army's Wolfhound tactical support vehicle — *^{British army’s Wolfhound tactical support vehicle during a demonstration at Aldershot. (Image Credit: Andrew Linnett/UK Ministry of Defence)}*

The system is operationally ready and can be integrated into a Wolfhound military vehicle. The Wolfhound is a six-wheeled armored vehicle that offers soldiers enhanced protection as they conduct operations in high-threat areas. The vehicle can also be used to carry military equipment and ammunition.

According to the Raytheon UK statement, the company’s high-energy laser weapon system is compact and portable, making it adaptable for installation on a wide range of platforms. It can also be integrated with air defense systems.

“With deep, rechargeable magazine and minimal logistics, this laser weapon is an affordable and viable option to protect military and critical infrastructure, and rapidly defeat threats. The system offers a nearly infinite number of shots and precision accuracy with very low collateral damage, making it an affordable alternative to traditional munitions,” the statement added.

Earlier this year, the laser system was successfully tested during live-fire exercises in the U.S., where the system tracked, targeted, and destroyed dozens of drones in short-range attacks, swarm attacks, and long-range threat scenarios.

*^{Raytheon-built High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) uses directed energy to defeat incoming unmanned aerial systems. (Image Credit: Raytheon)}*

Recently, Raytheon UK has officially opened its advanced laser integration center in Livingston, Scotland. The facility is dedicated to the rigorous testing, deployment, and maintenance of laser weapons and will help the system to be integrated with the UK armed forces.