HMS Astute
Junior Member
UK to launch laser competition
LONDON — Britain’s Defence Ministry will boost its investment in laser research and is preparing to launch a competition that could lead to a technology demonstrator, according to officials.
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the research arm of the MoD, said it plans to kick off a competition this year to appoint a contractor to lead work on directed energy weapons (DEW).
“This four-year project aims to understand what potential there is for high energy laser technology to be used in future military capabilities,” an MoD spokeswoman said.
The work could result in the construction of a development system capable of being test fired, the spokeswoman said.
“The project aims to assess a number of sub-systems that will potentially be incorporated into a working developmental system for testing,” she said. “We intend to conduct outdoor testing at a range, but exact details are yet to be determined.”
MBDA, Lockheed Martin UK, Qinetiq, Thales UK, Raytheon UK and others could figure among the bidders for the contract.
LONDON — Britain’s Defence Ministry will boost its investment in laser research and is preparing to launch a competition that could lead to a technology demonstrator, according to officials.
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the research arm of the MoD, said it plans to kick off a competition this year to appoint a contractor to lead work on directed energy weapons (DEW).
“This four-year project aims to understand what potential there is for high energy laser technology to be used in future military capabilities,” an MoD spokeswoman said.
The work could result in the construction of a development system capable of being test fired, the spokeswoman said.
“The project aims to assess a number of sub-systems that will potentially be incorporated into a working developmental system for testing,” she said. “We intend to conduct outdoor testing at a range, but exact details are yet to be determined.”
MBDA, Lockheed Martin UK, Qinetiq, Thales UK, Raytheon UK and others could figure among the bidders for the contract.