UK: Develops laser beam defense system
・Dragonfire will be provided to Ukraine
・MHI has already delivered U-CAS to MSDF
We bring you a summary of articles published on the BBC.
British Defense Minister Shapps:
On April 12, he told reporters that he was considering giving Dragonfire to Ukraine.
Dragon Fire is a new type of air defense system that uses high-power laser beams.
Ukraine air defense costs:
Ukraine has been invaded by Russian drone attacks.
1. Anti-drone/intercept systems are extremely expensive. Each shot costs several million pounds (hundreds of millions of yen).
2. If you use the laser dragon fire, the firing cost is cheap. 10 pounds (1,900 yen)/10 seconds, significantly reducing costs.
Advance provision to Ukraine:
In consideration of the war situation in Ukraine, plans will be brought forward significantly.
It will be too late to introduce it to the site after it is 1.99.9% complete.
We would like to introduce it at the 2.70% stage and proceed with repairs on site.
The aim is to provide it to Ukraine by 2027 at the latest.
Dragonfire development status:
Basically, it is intended to intercept unmanned aircraft.
Shoot a 1 pound coin with a laser from a distance of 1.1 km.
2. In January of this year, it was successfully tested to hit an aerial target.
In the future, the plan is to improve it to be able to intercept ballistic missiles as well.
Initially, it is planned to be installed and operated on Royal Navy ships by 2032.
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/4d0bbf130fbcc6b3f2ea05953113c08e5e7392b6
DragonFire：UK laser could be used against Russian drones on Ukraine front line
A UK high-power laser weapon：
the DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system
It achieved the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets.
The range of DragonFire is classified:
it is a line-of-sight weapon and can engage with any visible target.
• First high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets
• Laser boasts pinpoint accuracy and low long-term costs
• Partnership with industry making positive progress for UK Armed Forces
MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ:
DragonFire is led by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)
working with its industry partners MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ.
Both the Army and Royal Navy:
They are considering using this technology as part of their future Air Defence capabilities.
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/advanced-future-military-laser-achieves-uk-first
DSEI Japan 2023:
KHI and MHI develop a new laser system.
They have developed a new laser system to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs),
Displayed at the DSEI Japan 2023 show being held in Chiba from 15 to 17 March.
MHI officials told Janes:
C-UAS laser system can destroy hostile UAVs within a range of 1.2 km.
The company is expected to deliver at least one unit of the laser system to the Japanese Ministry of Defence (MoD) in December,