In a groundbreaking development, the British Army has successfully integrated and fired a laser weapon system from a land vehicle for the first time in the country’s history. The system, known as the High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS), was developed by American defense contractor Raytheon and has already proven its effectiveness in the American armed forces.
HELWS has already achieved over 400 successful drone kills during extensive testing, and it is expected to have been used in military operations as well. Impressed by its capabilities, the British Army has launched the Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) Demonstrator program to explore the adoption of this innovative technology.
The recent test conducted by the British Army involved mounting the HELWS on an armored truck called Wolfhound, which is a six-wheel version of the Mastiff armored truck. The Wolfhound, along with its counterparts Husky and Coyote, is primarily used for frontline patrols and transportation of supplies and ammunition. Typically, the truck is equipped with a 7.62 GPMG machine gun.
The HELWS deployed on the Wolfhound was specifically designed to counter NATO class 1 drones, which weigh around 33 pounds (15 kg) and can reach altitudes of up to 5,000 feet (1,500 meters). This portable laser system can be easily moved closer to or further away from the action and can be seamlessly integrated with various air defense systems, radars, and command and control systems.
Raytheon offers two versions of the laser, with power outputs of 15 kW and 50 kW, respectively. The 15 kW version is designed to counter class 1 and 2 drones, while the larger 50 kW version is capable of neutralizing class 3 drones. Both versions have the ability to track targets in open sky and ground clutter, and they possess a range that extends beyond visual capabilities. The lasers are powered by batteries and can remain operational for approximately eight hours.
The successful test of the HELWS on the Wolfhound took place at the Dstl’s range in Porton Down. The British Army plans to further test and refine the system in order to fully adopt it, allowing its soldiers to become familiar with the technology and establish requirements for future capability enhancements. With the integration of laser weapons into land vehicles, the British Army is taking a significant step forward in its defense capabilities against drones and other airborne threats.
Photo: Raytheon
