UK Tests High-Energy Laser Weapon on Military Vehicle

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) successfully tested Raytheon’s High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) on a British Army Wolfhound vehicle at Porton Down. This first UK test demonstrated the HELWS’s capability to track and engage targets while mounted on a land vehicle.

The HELWS is designed to counter NATO class 1 drones and integrate seamlessly with existing air defence systems. Raytheon UK’s chief executive, James Gray, highlighted the collaborative effort with British SMEs that enabled the rapid delivery of this technology.

Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the importance of continuing technological advancements to ensure national security and create skilled jobs. The demonstrator program, managed by Team Hersa, aims to rapidly introduce innovative weapon systems to the UK Armed Forces.

Raytheon’s HELWS has proven combat effectiveness with US forces, logging over 40,000 testing hours and downing more than 400 targets. The next phase involves British Army soldiers familiarizing themselves with the system to refine future capabilities.