Contract signed for laser that can take out drones

The government has awarded a contract to fund a new laser that can shoot down high-speed drones.

The £316m will be used to develop the DragonFire laser at MBDA's UK headquarters in Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

During a recent trial at MoD Hebrides, the weapon shot down drones flying at twice the speed of a Formula 1 car.

Defence minister Luke Pollard said the laser was "delivering a cutting-edge capability to help defend the UK and our allies in this new era of threat".

The government said the technology was more cost-effective than traditional missile systems, which can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds per shot. The laser costs just £10 each time it is used.

DragonFire is Europe's first high-power laser. It can hit a target the size of a £1 coin from a distance of 1km.

It is thought the project will create 590 jobs in the UK.

MBDA is working with QinetiQ and Leonardo to develop the technology for use on destroyers by 2027.

UK managing director Chris Allam described the contract as "another significant milestone".

"It allows us to continue with the next phase of the programme and reaffirms the UK's intent to be at the forefront of laser directed energy weapons," he said.

"The success of recent DragonFire trials are a testament to our... team delivering a truly game-changing weapon system into the hands of the Royal Navy."

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