"It Can Hit A Coin From A Mile Away" New 'Drone-Buster' Dragonfire Laser Is War Game-Changer

The British military has announced the development of a high-powered laser weapon, called Dragonfire, which could potentially change the face of warfare. This laser weapon, developed by DSTL, Porton Down, the military science laboratory in the UK, is being hailed as a significant advancement in technology. With the increasing threat of drones and unmanned aerial vehicles in conflicts such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the need for an effective and cost-efficient defense system has become paramount. The Dragonfire laser weapon offers a solution to this problem, with its accuracy and relatively low cost.
In recent years, drones have become a major threat in modern warfare. These small unmanned aerial vehicles, easily accessible and affordable, have been used to drop grenades and direct artillery fire. The sheer number of drones being used in conflicts, such as in Ukraine where thousands are being fired into the country, has put a strain on traditional defense systems. Expensive missiles, costing millions of pounds, are being used to shoot down drones that are significantly cheaper. The development of the Dragonfire laser weapon presents a more cost-effective solution to this problem.
The laser weapon works by emitting a highly concentrated beam of light. This beam of light, when directed at a target, disrupts the structure of the object and fries its electronics. The accuracy of the laser is unparalleled, allowing it to hit a target at a range of up to 3000 meters. This level of precision ensures that collateral damage can be minimized, as the laser can be directed at the target in a specific time and place. This is a significant advantage over traditional missile defense systems, which often result in debris falling in populated areas.
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[@Spitfiresammons]

Now witnesses the firepower of this fully armed and operational battle station.

[@Pierluigi_Di_Lorenzo]

Does it have its own power plant?

[@zakjuly6721]

lol Saudi has Chinese lasers in operation protecting oil fields , , one mile is a joke , Chinese lasers hits target 3km away

[@xelthiavice4276]

eveything you said is BS@@zakjuly6721

[@danpearce4547]

So less than 2 miles then ​@@zakjuly6721

[@danpearce4547]

Hebridean battle station

[@magnvss]

If it isn't still used it's because there are still some issues. Even if the claim of (very) low cost is true (compared to how expensive it was just a decade ago or so) then there are other issues. People confuse the laser with "bullets" or the "rays in the Sci Fi movies", it is neither, it doesn't destroy a target immediately: when you see the demonstrations in the available videos, it last some seconds until it damages the target enough for it to be neutralized. So it has to keep the laser focused on the target while it travels (obviously they compensate for this, but still). But that is not counting with possible counter measures (like it would be to have reflective coating on the missiles/drones and some other heat reflective protections inside). Lasers aren't still THAT strong (maybe they will be). Plus atmospheric conditions could hamper their effectiveness.

[@matsommer5039]

My thoughts exactly, I would almost be positive that there will be an inexpensive coating that can deflect the beam, if not rendering it useless than at least drastically reducing its effectiveness.

[@colinslamon4492]

I’m sorry to dispel this nonsense, but as an engineer working with lasers for over 30 years I feel I’m qualified to inject some truth into this conversation. Firstly, a laser isn’t high tech space Star Wars. It’s just photons that have been around since the beginning of the universe. Light is a tiny pocket of energy. The amount and the frequency is of interest in this conversation. If I was planning to damage a flying object, and didn’t know what it was made of, I’d suggest a Co2 laser of 10,000 nm (nanometers) as this frequency is absorbed by almost everything. However, you do kinda need a lot of it. For the record, visual wavelengths are not energetic enough. So your laser pointer is just a toy and was never really an issue (sorry news reporters). So, to burn into an object made of even the most flimsy metal you’re gonna need one massive power supply. This is why lasers are only weapon’s if you throw them at someone! The atmosphere has moisture. This will really mess up your reality about light. Lasers don’t actually do that thin line. The optics’s collimate the photons to give you your classic impression of a laser. But a laser is actually just photons. Monochromatic and collumated but just light, just like your flashlight. It’s the optics that make your line. So, can you imagine what happens with the interaction of water in the atmosphere? It makes that tiny spot go divergent. This is why this story is just that, a story. In my lab I’d blow anything away. But give the laser any normal atmosphere, it might just be detectable…. But probably not. Please don’t listen to people that don’t know basic physics. Lasers are cool, but make really really silly weapons that can’t work!

[@colinslamon4492]

Oh and sorry to add, Porton down are chemical and biological research. Farnborough do all the physics stuff. Talk TV you need to do your basic homework on this subject. This guy has no idea what he’s talking about. Nice guy, but sorry….. just a bloke talking about stuff he’s unqualified to know or understand. It’s just silly!!!

[@pauljones2031]

Kinda makes drones and missilles obsolete, especially considering it most likely is powered by a mini reactor and has an inexhaustable ammo supply.

[@johnhall4851]

It uses the equivelent electricity in 3 seconds as it does to power 8000 homes. So what about the carbon scam - doesnt matter now does it?

[@03olo020]

There's clearly a reason we've been heavily investing in nuclear energy over the last few years. A nuclear power station would have very little problem powering one of these with almost a 0 carbon footprint and I'd go as far to say as in the next 10-15 years were going to have nuclear FUSION energy which is a whole other level of power generation.

[@Steelninja77]

It's actually good at stopping cruise missiles as well if you watch other video's about the thing.

[@jaymac7203]

Did he just say a pound coin is about a cm in diameter? 😭 I hesitate to believe anything he says now 😂

[@rogerphelps9939]

When is comes to orders of magnitude comparisons saying that a pound coin is about a cm in diameter is good enough.

[@KinnetticKevin]

Can I get a light for my cigarette.

[@ramonpunsalang3397]

There are any number of programmable air-burst cannon rounds that can destroy drone swarms at greater distances and in all weather conditions

[@PhantomOperative]

It can hit Hawaii from a mile away

[@imbonkers3629]

Will it stop a dinghy ⛵️😉

[@denniskelly656]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@richardcarlyon241]

😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😅😊😅😅😮😮

[@SLonxxxx]

You're wasted on You tube mate !!!

[@nevisstkitts8264]

Only if it's operated by Archimedes ...

[@florinadrian5174]

No, but it might give more jobs to the racists worrying about small boats. Probably not, though, it takes brains to build such hi-tech stuff.

[@bobjames6622]

If this is being shown in public, just imagine what the REAL state of the art is.

[@gothicpagan.666]

Or is it being hyped?

[@bobjames6622]

@@gothicpagan.666 That's a very valid point. Maybe shareholders want their money back, with dividends, so have forced the hand of the company making it to make it sound better than it is? I don't know, but you raise a very interesting question.

[@BonusHole]

They are arming British Special Forces with Boltguns and Rad Grenades.

[@mattb6542]

They probably have one of these on the moon already 🤔

[@bobjames6622]

@@mattb6542 Nice one! LOL!

[@matthewwalker5430]

I heard they missed the first drone they tested it on but accidentally took out a UFO in transit in the Andromeda galaxy

[@markreynolds1436]

Or will do in about 2.6 million years when the laser gets there 🤔

[@Jim-fp3kt]

If we truly have a Star Wars shoot down capability with this laser then it’s an epic game changer.

[@SteveMoore71]

But we dont This little toy shoots, obviously from the example images, about 200m. And it CAN NOT target the warhear vs the propellant vs the electronics. It simply makes the target hot. The heat MIGHT lead to a result. This is, at this point, just a high powered laser pointer

[@dantastic6262]

It would be nice!!! However, if it was an epic game changer, then in the name of deterrence, we’d see video footage of its immense capabilities… This is nothing more than deterrence propaganda.

[@mikitaj1]

This is for cruise missile ok and hipersonic missiles? Time to destroy missile?

[@rabidL3M0NS]

With the rise of militarised drone swarms I was thinking AA flak cannons would have to make a comeback, but using accurate high powered lasers to take down drones is a perfect use of the technology!

[@simplex7096]

i doubt it could take out a swarm of drones, prcise flak works better

[@rabidL3M0NS]

@@simplex7096 I’m sure the best strategy will be a combination of the two technologies working in tandem.

[@davidthompson9368]

@@simplex7096 Probably not in its current form but down the line an upgraded lazer that can knock a drone out in a few seconds and do it to 20-30 plus at a time could.

[@dantastic6262]

Rather than shrapnel based flak, I suspect some sort of gummy substance would be a good idea

[@theendoftheline]

Not flak, but close, check out skynex's ammunition it uses against drones "Known as Advanced Hit Efficiency and Destruction (AHEAD) ammunition. This is a programmable munition designed to take on a target at the optimum distance decided upon by its integral laser rangefinder On reaching the predicted range it functions to release a cluster of aerodynamic tungsten sub-projectiles in a cone-shaped “cloud” that will destroy the target’s control surfaces and other vital components. This significantly increases the effectiveness of fire and reduces ammunition usage rates."

[@cataclysmic1999]

This is a step in warfare that will be as significant as the tank.

[@MrBlaxjax]

If the Chinese ever dazzle us with lasers we can respond in kind!

[@thatonediscordfemboy69420]

Speaking of, tanks have been largely innefective at.. doing anything besides getting blown up with drones during this stage of modern warfare. Tanks with drone busting lasers, let's see how it plays out in practice versus theory.

[@AaronVets]

@@thatonediscordfemboy69420They would need a massive power supply, can’t see it happening. On nuclear powered warships it makes sense.

[@theroach2204]

@@MrBlaxjax Will certainly make its easier to shoot down "Scientific Balloons"

[@kalamari3288]

@@thatonediscordfemboy69420What makes you think tanks have been ineffective? That is certainly not the case.

[@thetraitorguardsmen.5321]

Imperial guard. Heavy lascannon. Range 48". Type heavy 2. Strength 10. Armour penetration -4. Damage D3+3. All praise the Omnissiah !

[@wharmbster1]

Game changer In modern warfare. This will make Putin think twice once it's operational on the battlefield. Innovation from from the UK again which could have a huge positive impact in the world, proud to be British! 🇬🇧

[@Kornet7800boom]

are you proud of your royal navy too? They are brilliant at docking 😅🤣😂

[@wharmbster1]

@@Kornet7800boom you heard of Trident? It's not about numbers anymore, it's about quality and advanced weaponry. Funny how the Russian orcs are way too scared to try anything with our relatively small island, with their ancient deisel chugging Navy. How is the Moskva doing? I heard that's your flagship cruiser? 😂

[@matejmacek5784]

Contrameasures are: rainfall, snowflakes, dust, clouds, fog. Iraqis burn oil and Somalis tires to prevent laser guiding systems in 1994 and 2003. And plese note attacker choose the attack time. Another western bullshit Wünderwaffe.

[@mrbaab5932]

More like: We have to catch up with USA and stay ahead of Russia and China.

[@mgshabbire311]

Putin now use mirror in their drones cause mirror bounce back laser ray

[@tomasviane3844]

The Israeli's have a similar kind of defense system called 'The Iron Beam'. Not sure if it's being deployed yet or if it's in the end stages. It sounds like the British and Israeli's worked together on it or it's a coincidence that they have this around the same time.

[@markmc5112]

​@@TubeMeisterJC Sounds like it could be a great boat weapon system. The reporter did talk about the threat on shipping too

[@AaronVets]

@@markmc5112The threat on shipping vessels could be mitigated by ending unconditional support of genocides. 🙄

[@meglomania2001]

AA or AAA Batteries?😮

[@ruthcollins2841]

Probably Electric ones that need constant charging up!😊

[@ministryoflies1344]

All batteries are electric my friend 😂

[@davidtipping9783]

I bet Mr Tesla will be providing the batteries from the 1000s of unwanted EVs.😁

[@justeatingbigmacs]

usb-c

[@josephberrie9550]

triple AAA as in anti aircraft artillery

[@iankuah8606]

The US Navy has been rolling out 30kW Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) on its ships for the last three years and newer versions will soon be of up to 100kW. Meanwhile Israel is supplementing its Iron Dome anti-missile system with Iron Beam lasers, so this is not unexpected. Apart from the fact that a shot from a DEW costs pennies, it also solves the age-old 'magazine problem' that a US Carrier Battle Group would face in a conflict in the South China Sea, in which China would fire hundreds of missiles at them from fixed and mobile launchers on the mainland.

[@brianboye8025]

Dragonflies is reportedly 50 kW so that is getting to a useful power level if the beam quality and aiming is good. 100 kW is better.

[@glossypeacock7552]

@@brianboye8025 Errrrr .... probably twice as better??!! Just guessin'!

[@anthonywilson4873]

Fantastic input from the mathematician, breaking down the technology and making it simple for a layman like me.👍😊

[@Whoami691]

The British military isn't showing you the best stuff buddy. It's why uk subs are undetectable to the us navy and why it was British intel that found bin laden. Unlike you, we don't show our hand to have a dlck measuring contest with china. It's why you can't win a war without us. Try harder.

[@crinolynneendymion8755]

USN never anticipated the type of target which is now effective. Short sighted analysts apparently.

[@PDScally]

What if its raining or snowing or sleet, bet that screws up your laser

[@banedon8087]

Would certainly shorten the range I would think. By how much I do not know.

[@chonpincher]

At 10:40, we hear that the cost of firing this laser weapon [£10] is equivalent to running an electric fire for an hour. My domestic electricity supplier charges ca. 30p per kilowatt-hour. So a 2-kW electric fire running for one hour would cost 60p. The presenter's calculation is out by a factor of more than 16. Also, the diameter of a £1 coin is ca. 2.3 cm - not 1 cm as the speaker says.

[@mikec3698]

Well done, my thoughts exactly. No idea about life in general, just a consummate warmonger. So proud. I don"t know how these people sleep at night. ATB Mike.

[@christopherleubner6633]

The laser would be about 25kW average power with MW peak power, it would likely be a 976nm fiber array laser based on camera beam color ( eyeball invisible or faint blue if very dark by stuff vaporizing in the path. A single shot of a 25kw average power laser would draw about the same as an electric clothes dryer on HI but have similar power use as a toaster or electric hotplate for 15 minutes of use. Shot length would be anywhere from 15 to 180 seconds to fry a cheap drone..

[@rogerphelps9939]

A simple countermeasure is to make the drone very reflective. How does Firefly cope with such measures?@@christopherleubner6633

[@jonnyfatboy7563]

I will like to add they don't just "run" out of missiles or bullets like he said.. War I a business that loves to make money. presenter talks shite 😅👊

[@clinhart]

You also need to factor in the wear on the equipment. The equipment probably has a limited lifetime of a certain number of shots (maybe a million shots or so). Which results in a certain cost of equipment per shot. Also, supplying energy in a battlefield situation probably costs significantly more than to supply energy to a home in peace times. So, the £10 can be a reasonable estimate of the cost per shot.

[@hotfightinghistory9224]

Having worked with the latest ultrashort pulse lasers in a lab environment, I can say with confidence that this laser is pulled from the pages of a sci-fi book. This is truly a game changer.

[@HowardSupra]

Would this be a single shot system? Seems like it'd take massive amounts of power/battery packs no?

[@nickparkin8527]

@@HowardSuprait doesn’t take much power at all. A 1 watt laser is enough to burn things at a short distance. We can make at most ~20,000 watt lasers. This thing should be able to fire all day long and cost a few bucks per shot

[@marca9955]

It would be a game changer if wars hinged on drone capabilities. The Ukraine/Russia conflict does not.

[@mandolinic]

You mean that, like FTL travel, transporter beams and beautiful Martian princesses, they're pure fiction?

[@Pieces93]

@@HowardSuprathey would most likely use either the power supply from the ship it is fitted to (either nuclear/or diesel) and use that power to charge a huge capacitor bank, which would give you a huge discharge rate to supply the laser with a massive amount of power for a few seconds.

[@immaroadman6431]

God bless United Kingdom!

[@laurenceseale]

When does the car headlight version come out?

[@terrylandess6072]

Dim/bright/kill - we already have that.

[@amstonger]

You Brits are fking awesome..... Small country but packs a punch😊😊😊😊

[@garethwigglesworth8187]

The world: we got guns don't mess with us. The UK: aww so cute 🥺

[@ian-robinson]

Just imagine when it has enough power to point into your enemies location and start slowly rotating it. Mirrors on drones will be the next add on.

[@MikeChatman]

I was wondering if that would be a viable defense or if the laser would just be so hot it would simply melt the mirror. I'm not scientist so I don't know.

[@jenkem4464]

@@MikeChatman Would mitigate a bit I would think but then again you'd probably have to have a pretty robust mirror to even last fractions of seconds against it. I'd assume it would melt the mirror pretty handily.

[@MikeChatman]

Yeah that's what I was assuming. The heat would warp what ever surface the laser was pointed at and ruin any chance to reflect the laser, at least to the point where laser has any noticeable mitigation. Hmm the future will be very interesting,@@jenkem4464

[@tryingtocorrect]

This is what I have been hoping... getting these defence weapons. Those who are attacking (like russia) would fail more likely.

[@thedoobieshrew0244]

"A million voices cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced"

[@scruff101collects7]

That's amazing lmao

[@TimHollingworth]

Now that's scary!😮

[@gunshipzeroone3546]

The 🇬🇧 Mk1- EMRG/PW7 will be a game charger with the Railgun by BAE system.

[@l.piloto7964]

The powerful laser is incredibly impressive, but I heard rumors that just before it fires the targets hears" Punch it Chewy".

[@transitfran1126]

is this the same mod place thats developing the vaccine for disease x and playing with virus mutations ?? is it developing bio weapons vaccines too ?

[@PhilM4]

Rip to the birds who were flying during the test 🐦🔥🍗

[@alperen3922]

ALKA Laser weapon developed by Turkiye destroyed a Chinese-made unmanned aerial vehicle in Libya. Turks were the first country to use this Laser Technology in the field.

[@rogerspunkt8983]

In the early 2000s, the US and German navies tested this on warships. The problem is that a reflective surface can easily distort a laser. The same should apply to this.

[@jonnyfatboy7563]

not if its using MEGAWATTS..

[@vatsal7640]

I don't think a mirror can reflect a beam this much powerful

[@remlapwc]

Why on earth disclose this. I can hear chinese and russian keyboards clacking away trying to hack into Porton Down. Unless they have 'interns' in there already.

[@the.teflon.Don1]

The same weapon they used on hawaii homes and blamed it on wild fires even tho cars that was destroyed.and the glass melted into liquid.which would never happen from and normal fire.

[@johnwheeler3071]

Many civilians dead in Palestine. Makes me wonder whether the unveilling of the lasar was why the gates were left open.

[@the.teflon.Don1]

@@johnwheeler3071 I ain't being funny I couldn't careless about israel or Palestine they been killing each other for centuries.or any other war going on in the world it's all for money nothing to do with helping anyone it's all for self gain.

[@uniquevideosUk]

​​​@@johnwheeler3071 one major factor! Them you mention, aswell as many others, are all firing back at 🇮🇱 so do they do nothing? lets also not keep on with this history tour, stick with what's going in today! Which would be a ceasefire all round, so ALL innocent children, civilians can live in peace, stop been ignorant to life, especially when you are sat defending life, you just sound a hypocrite.

[@proselytizingorthodoxpente8304]

🤪

[@johnwheeler3071]

@@uniquevideosUk Im no Hamas supporter and Israel has a right to defend itself so I think we agree on that. It was easy for Hamas to open the door though which is concerning.

[@romanroman1453]

It will be smart to test it in Ukraine. In some areas where this technology cannot be captured by Russians.

[@maddnessmakr]

Since this defeats drone warfare, something will be made to stop the lasers. We went from guns, to artillery, to tanks, to missles, to drones, to lasers... What's next? Probably some sort of force shield that can stop lasers and bullets and can only be penetrated by swords/knives and we're back in medieval times lol

[@garymcatear822]

May the force be with you.

[@BionicRusty]

As someone who has worked on DIRCM for decades, I can say that this is not the groundbreaking technology that is being alluded to. 👍

[@petersinclair3997]

Are you saying the technology hasn’t progressed over the decades, like valves to microchips?

[@Jaytwisty23]

Rather than being vague do enlighten us then oh great one

[@Si_Mondo]

Obviously. If they're speaking about it publicly now, then development on it probably ended around 1980.... 😅

[@mrbaab5932]

​@@Si_MondoThere were prototype laser missile defense in the 1980s, but they were the size of buildings. Actually much development has been done since 2000 to make laser weapons smaller and more affordable.

[@BionicRusty]

@@petersinclair3997 not at all. Of course laser power has developed. Counter measure systems were lamp power based whilst the high power lasers were being developed but that breakthrough happened getting on for two decades ago. Miysis, Dircm, Circm, Laircm and InShield have all used HP Lasers for many years.

[@pagarb]

One big advantage of a laser is that the "beam" has a far better chance of hitting it's target because it's so much faster when it "lines up" on the target, which has no chance of "getting out of the way" once it's "in the cross-hairs".. it's also going to be easier to aim than a missile or gun, in fact it'll be as easy as spotting the target with a light, which is what it is.. if it's combined with radar for finding the targets, it'll be unbeatable..

[@covidcol3505]

a long as clouds rain smoke etc don't get in the way

[@mrbaab5932]

Radar is good for long range detection, but not so good at tracking. They use IR and visible for tracking.

[@mrbaab5932]

​@@covidcol3505That is why they use IR tracking and IR lasers. Rain drops do shorten the range.

[@meantweetsandcheepgas946]

Have you ever heard of a "reflective surface"? Also, IR is the easiest to reflect.

[@rogerphelps9939]

If smoke and rain get in the way the drone is not much use anyway.@@covidcol3505

[@Thewhippedhippie]

In the 80’s the US started the Star Wars program for safety. The confidence of America is here. Safety for all. The melting pot gift.

[@jimphillippi616]

For drones, you can also use masers. All you need is the right frequency to fry the electronics not necessarily a high power requirement. (If you need to go that route.)

[@MrBlaxjax]

Not forgetting the still secret zazers , bazeers and dozers! Um dazers! Seriously I’m not really sure why this technology has been unveiled. Wouldn’t it be best just to start using it when it becomes available? If the technology works and it is as inexpensive as portrayed it might unilaterally win the war. For one thing these fazers or wazers could be drone mounted and used to cheaply zap minefields. Muhaha.

[@mrbaab5932]

Russia and Ukraine jam eacothers drone frequencies and also use a micro wave system the soldiers call the 'ray gun' to overload the electronics.

[@mrbaab5932]

​@@MrBlaxjaxI new a laser engineer that worked on setting off mines with lasers around 1990. He had military experience but had not worked with mines and underestimated the safe range and hurt himself. His project was too expensive and got canceled.

[@terrylandess6072]

No matter the future of warfare, you can bet every soldier -with- will still receive a combat knife.

[@trailingupwards]

GAZERS!! Like lasers, but with gamma rays. AKA death ray.

[@NickWard-bz4jo]

More investment into our great minds 🇬🇧

[@robertmiller1299]

Please it is not the British Navy but the Royal Navy - please show proper respect for our nation’s armed forces.

[@ClamBanditt]

It’s like calling American Marines ground troops. Relax dude. It’s not a big deal, he mostly said “Royal Navy” anyway.

[@jaymac7203]

Lol Jesus 😂

[@allanjones4991]

We need an inexpensive drone that can go around attacking other drones!

[@nicolasalexander408]

Can't do that, we have to pay lots of Tax payer money for stupidly expensive systems, which, for the most part, will never be used.....apart from on the general population in Minority Report and Judge Dredd

[@mrbaab5932]

Ukraine uses the Australian cardboard and foam drone for that. So you already have that.

[@mrbaab5932]

​@@nicolasalexander408 Those are fiction movies and Australia has a cardboard drone.

[@RUX70N]

China and the US all ready have swarm systems that can do that, trust me.

[@bath_neon_classical]

centimeter diameter? - hamish has never seen a pound coin.

[@billynomates920]

i know we are not all styropyro but he explained a laser as only the army could. 😂

[@paulbreckon1708]

A bit like the star war system that ronald Reagan anounced whilst in office as president 😮. It makes you wonder about the weird fires in recent years.

[@midnightroadstudios]

When I was at school I always made a 'Pyoo Pyoo' noise when I pretended to fire a laser gun. I wonder if the operators of this weapon system do the same thing.

[@proselytizingorthodoxpente8304]

'Pyoo-pyoo' indeed! A laser gun goes 'Fchooo-fchooo'

[@mikeoglen6848]

It goes "Poing Poooiiinnnggg", surely?@@proselytizingorthodoxpente8304

[@ministryoflies1344]

I would have the Star Trek phaser sound in my head...indeed.. I'd program the laser and install a speaker to loudly play it when it's firing.

[@XORTION]

Mine was more of a peeyow peeyow kind of noise

[@proselytizingorthodoxpente8304]

@@ministryoflies1344 Isn't that more of a continuous 'pheeeeeeeep!'?

[@shahzadakram4667]

Meanwhile, in the real world, British battleships are banging into each other.

[@RedMac63]

A minesweeper has never been called a battleship in any navy.

[@shahzadakram4667]

@@RedMac63 thank you, yes it was a minesweeper... stuck in reverse apparently.

[@amoss646]

I worked on this years ago. It's actually got a lot of Israeli input in it's development which I'm certain will upset a lot of people.

[@jamesdean1283]

Which people ? and why you should care ?

[@tonyturtle]

if this system proves good and reliable I don't see why it can't be plane mounted and used to hit targets sooner and maybe land targets like lightly armoured vehicles such as oil tankers and Russian tanks

[@SalemikTUBE]

Power would be a problem. You need lots and lots of power.

[@bobdillon1138]

Penetrating tank armor and taking down a plastic drone are worlds apart.

[@iankuah8606]

The USAF demonstrated an anti-ICBM airborne laser with the Boeing 747 YAL-1 Airborne Laser project back in 2002. After a successful public demonstration the project was shelved in 2014. The US Navy began rolling out 30kW lasers on some ships around four years ago, and these are being slowly stepped up to 100kW units as the tech becomes available. A ship is the perfect platform for a laser as weight, size and power is not a problem, and a nuclear powered aircraft carrier has almost infinite power generation capability.

[@tonyturtle]

the tank armour was sarcasm

[@theendmyfriend]

Moving platforms like plane creates air turbulence which disrupts the focus and energy of the laser. They are working on it but thats always problem. Influenced by weather humidity cloud cover wind environmental conditions disperses the beam.

[@SistorCarrera]

as said before if they show us this crap just imagine what they really have....taxi for Jon Shepard

[@mylesdean7416]

These will be sold on the streets of Tenerife within 3 years. Frightening

[@grudzz7049]

😂

[@longandshort6639]

Will they make Jedi swords too?

[@projectsspecial9224]

Jedi swords or lightsabers, blasters and deathstars were already invented long long time ago in a galaxy far far way.

[@maryhaddock9145]

It can project a spot on the moon or even cut through solid metal!

[@mrbaab5932]

Laser cutter go back to the 1990s for cutting metal.

[@zerg9523]

Anyone know if this is a pulse laser or a constant laser? Depending on the power levels at play the difference between the two design types is huge… just an interested engineer.

[@TonyToning-ne7uq]

same thing used in the Maui fires..

[@flcamera]

Taking a drone (accurate and repeatable) kill from millions of dollars to under 20 relevels the table of defense against this new challenge

[@doctorpooo]

What if they chrome coat the missiles or drones?:^) or cover them with some sort of mirror?:^) just a thought

[@janejones1032]

Flipping good point

[@bordersw1239]

I bet they haven’t thought of that 😂

[@garethwigglesworth8187]

Not stopping a military grade laser.

[@SuperGreatSphinx]

God and His Majesty be with you. Amen.

[@SuperMassman]

☝️🤡.. DIRTY LITTLE SECRET,,, 😏 the power requirements are so immense and the heat generated is so great that they basically break down after 1 shot. MOST NOTABLE is there very limited range. There fragile, unable to withstand rough terrain at all..

[@johngovus2734]

Could it sink rubber dinghies?

[@nathanricketts1439]

It only works when it’s not cloudy, raining, foggy or misty 😂 when is it ever sunny in England 😅

[@wonderboy2402]

Think these laser systems will be a target for drones?😂

[@thatonediscordfemboy69420]

*farts on the lenses with cheetoh dust* behold, a 1.2 million whatever dollar piece of military equipment rendered as useless as a 1996 toyota corolla in a junkyard via the superiorty of biological warfare.

[@glynnwright1699]

So, what is effectiveness if it is raining, foggy, or there is salt spray in the air? The answer is that it is less effective, but can it still do the job?

[@gilesdavis6345]

Are you having a conversation with yourself?

[@glynnwright1699]

@@gilesdavis6345 No, just pointing out that they have major problems, as any graduate physicist or electronic engineer knows.

[@davidgreen6490]

@@glynnwright1699 Let me get this straight, you think the MOD has unveiled a multi billion pound weapon to the public and it hasnt thgought of fog or snow? Must be wonderfully peaceful in your world.

[@glynnwright1699]

@@davidgreen6490 I worked on directed energy weapons for MOD years ago. I spend a good part of my time working with sensors in the infrared spectrum. The properties of NIR light don't change however much money you spend. The energy delivered to the target will fall if the beam is scattered. Extract of one of the recommendations made for the US equivalent programme in 2018:: "....DOD should also conduct further research to enhance understanding of laser and high power microwave lethality and reliability across an increasing range of weather and atmospheric conditions." By the way, does the electromagnetic spectrum feature highly in your world?

[@yaboikindabored9831]

​@@davidgreen6490Dude the man's talkingto himself

[@441rider]

Saudi's already bought a high power laser anti drone vehicle because patriot failed against Houthis it only cost $800k from China the UK will try and 10x that price. UK used Ukraine big time, sore over Crimea way back.

[@jimphillippi616]

And, of you have a higher intensity, you can use a beam splitter to hit two targets at once WITH one beam.

[@woldtop8922]

IF it works. They've been trying to build a tank for the last for the last gawd knows how many years, and if they can't get that right, then this really is doubtful. I want more evidence before I believe it.

[@observersnt]

Why is it that you could believe and trust this man, unlike politicians, reporters and presenters? An unpretentious, experienced, intelligent voice of integrity and but I’m surprised that such a detailed, explanation about a revolutionary piece of military equipment should be broadcast on social media. Deploying it in secrecy would be far more effective, surely?

[@barrymiller3385]

It would only be a secret until its first (successful) use. Hopefully it would then act as a deterrent. So let everyone know about it. (I'm talking here about its effect - not how it works.)

[@magtoria]

Deterrence. What would be secret would be its real operating ability versus its public specification

[@observersnt]

@@barrymiller3385yes, you’re right. It seems to be an incredible leap forward. Let’s hope it’s deployed and successful for a long time before our enemies find ways to stop it. Well done Britain!

[@observersnt]

@@magtoria I wondered that. It may well be significantly more capable than is being admitted. I thought that if it wasn’t revealed for several weeks after it was deployed , it would give a tactical advantage. Opponents wouldn’t know what had hit the. The timing and description may be partly propagandist??

[@keithdurose7057]

This is quite amazing. However, what happens when the Lazer is put into a drone? Of course there are limiting factors. Power source , size control being only 3 but there lies the question!

[@Cee0666]

😅 call me crazy but it appears the crazy 'conspiracies' about D.E.W (Direct Energy Weapons) looks to be true😅 Well, I tip off my hat to the one's the public shamed for telling us back in 2000 we've had these kinda Weapons for a really long time🤭🤪

[@thomasclark631]

The use of “fast-steering” mirror technology on board an airborne vehicle could be used to deflect a laser. This was demonstrated during the Star Wars initiative when lasers were fired from a remote location and reflected off a moving satellite, precisely striking a target on the earth thousands of miles away. This would of course require more sophisticated electronic countermeasures onboard the missile, adding to the cost.

[@mandolinic]

Or maybe, just a coat of silver paint?

[@brianredmond4919]

Bit suspicious of this as the military have been working on lasers for decades without much success mainly due to the beam de focusing in air. Be fascinated to know how they have overcome the difficulties.

[@DennisRostron-i3t]

what happens if they just mirror the surface of the drone?

[@AJohnson0325]

The range is a big issue. The energy of lasers decreases by the inverse of the square of the distance. This means that as the distance to the target increases, the laser is exponentially less powerful. It may be very accurate still at a long distance but not as powerful so the bit about choosing when and where you want a missile to be to be destroyed may not hold true.

[@matejmacek5784]

And clouds, rain and fog + Somalis, and Iraqis burn oil and tires to prevent laser guiding system. So as self driving cars it will work only in good weather.

[@mrbaab5932]

​@@matejmacek5784Self driving cars that use radar have no problems with rain. Self driving car with visible lasers do have problems with rain. These systems are longer wavelengths than laser guided systems.

[@mrbaab5932]

Look up laser beam divergence and calculate beam sizes at the ranges this video talk about give a 6 inch initial beam size.

[@matejmacek5784]

@@mrbaab5932 Scattering of laser beam on dust particles is bases of laser diffraction method of particle analysis, which is a common method in chemistry and soil testing. Rough approximation: Per definition wave length should be grater then few times particle size. So this means microwaves and radio waves (park sensor, WiFi, RADAR, radio, TV) are not interfered by droplets. But the energy of photon is decreases with wavelength. So these protons are about million times les powerful then visible laser light. But if enough of them hit you will be hurt. But hen it is impossible to make 1 cm beam out of them.

[@monopolybillionaire5027]

You don't want to bring a space station down.

[@florinadrian5174]

Right, we're thinking of Ukraine and Red Sea. No thoughts about the 20k+ Gazan civilians murdered by Israel with the complicity of US and their colony.

[@daviecrocket9160]

This is decades old

[@BoostyGeoff]

No it isnt at all.

[@BoostyGeoff]

Part of the idea yes, what porton down are creating to make it actually work - no.

[@markdillon5494]

Directed energy weapons have been around since the late 40's in black operations. Thats a fact. VERY old tech. Weapons tech is like playing poker. You dont reveal any of your cards until you absolutely have to - and then convince everyone that its the latest and greatest.

[@Jasper743]

British 😂 with All these you couldn’t even win a war in Afghanistan with a bunch of people with 60s RPG from Russia . So zip it 🤐. Also what do you think!? Russia and China are going to sit and watch you develop this thing? They will have their own .

[@saltlife8221]

With a Lazer, the issue with distance is to maintain energy density and concentration.

[@DonaldRussell-nu3mv]

So- you need twenty stations on an Island like Nantucket?

[@fanfeck2844]

Yes, but I imagine electronics don’t take much to destroy them

[@uncontrollable343]

The yanks were showcasing this 7 years ago for Christ sake

[@DoubtingTom]

No they were not

[@LordDirus007]

I feel like a Remote mounted Gun with a Radar system and advanced AI. Kinda of like a Mini Iron Dome. Just use a really small cheap Caliber like a 22lr in a Chain Gun. Basically it locks on target and shoots the drones down

[@ajnicolai7002]

Worrying about AI, Iran obtaining Nukes, while aplying GoF, these kind of lazer weapons, etc. Dan Wells Quote: “Humanity will destroy itself, body and soul, before it will learn a simple lesson", is more applicable than ever? :(

[@Bluelagoonstudios]

The west learns a lot from the war in Ukraine, this is not anymore a battle with tanks or vehicles, this is now drones and electronic, missiles and air dominance warfare. So we should as EU do a lot more for Ukraine, call it lesson payments. I would send these lasers to Ukraine, the ideal battlefield to test these things. I have a (only real 1w) club laser here, and if you use a green color, this one go on for miles or kilometers. And under the right angle, about 2° you can see the beam very far. From here, or on the other side. Just 1w, so if you have a 1000w laser, with the right optics and steering you can shoot multiple targets at once.

[@lizmonk1115]

And by next year it will be available on the global stage to any and every individual or group with a grudge to settle 🤔

[@toby9999]

Not likely.

[@catch22ash]

Don't Israel have something similar to this already called Iron Beam?

[@iansenDIVRD]

Awesome technology.

[@draconian8994]

It would have added advantage if these lasers could be weaponized for assault purposes , in this case used as incendiary weapon to set targets ablaze. And since they cannot be intercepted or short down they could cause a lot of damage.

[@jeffschroeder4805]

To your point: Marjorie Taylor Greene in the United States Congress has reported on good authority that Jews are using satellite space lasers to start fires in the American west.

[@imbonkers3629]

Impressive 😮but last about as long as a tank on the battlefield 😊

[@francescostello1377]

Indeed, this is pure BS.

[@imbonkers3629]

@@francescostello1377 be a easy target 🎯 follow the laser back to the source and blow it up 🙄

[@robinsmith8918]

Yea you are all right but ...

[@davidware9549]

@@francescostello1377nah that’s your life and where ever it is our subs and other defences will be keeping it safe

[@babyamy3884]

It’s not ment to it’s an air defence system

[@DumfriesDik]

Wouldn't a laser pin point exactly where it has been fired from? Might be a problem??

[@TheCornish123456]

As opposed to the smoke trail from a missile / projectile?

[@ruthcollins2841]

To be used on illegal dinghies in the Channel

[@lastdayspropheciesunsealed122]

Great, your finally catching up with the U.S. .

[@PsychicLord]

It is BAE that is helping the US.

[@lastdayspropheciesunsealed122]

@PsychicLord LOL, the U.S. has back engineered UFO's and laser systems! We are secretly flying to other planets right now! . . . .

[@razorr1920]

Lol....a mile away....electromagnetic waves loosing energy by the square root every unit distance makes such gimmicks only for the fools. 100 artillery shells and a swarm of thousands of drones and him shooting a coin a mile away...😂

[@Kameolontti]

Laser will be diffracted by atmospheric scattering through absorption and re-emittance. The beam will also suffer from divergence. These reduce effective range in atmospheric environment. =more powerful at shorter ranges. Line of sight = no firing over hills or behind obstacles. Missiles can be equipped with teflon etc so they can withstand heat. Rotating the missile further disperses heat. = most useful against sensors as they require to be exposed to function. Can't choose where you want to intercept, atmospheric lasers are point defense and useless against inertial weapons. They can locally make short work of hundreds of drones, mortar rounds and pre-laser rockets and missiles and work as dazzlers against infantry and vehicle sensors; burn out sensors and retinae.

[@baldieman64]

"Dragonfire" has a fraction of the power of Israeli Iron Beam or American LaWS systems. It will not bring down a missile, or a projectile, but it will stop cheap drones. It has its place, but it's not the be-all and end all.

[@Ganja76000]

People in the comments praising the uk, when the us, israel and others countries have been using this technology for quite a long time now. France and Germany successfully tested this laser thing on frigates this year as well. Remember that mbda is european. What about China, india, russia ? Its all about marketing and the uk is doing a great job at it, hopefully it ll help their declined army...

[@angeloavanti2538]

As I've been saying about Putler's hyper sonic crap. You can't outrun a laser. The laser will become the next deterrent to missile launched nukes. Both sides will have them. I think that's a great thing. Ours will always be better for sure.

[@fin1131]

Oh look another conspiracy theory proven to be factual, one word LAHAINA, amazing that we can make something like this but are unable to stop a few dinghies.