DRAGONFIRE
Force Protection
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Key features
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Ultra-low cost-per-shot solution effective against fast moving and hard manoeuvring UAS
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Exceptional accuracy, equivalent to hitting a pound coin at a range of multiple kilometres
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Extraordinary speed-of-light interception in contested environments and complex battle scenarios
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A complimentary layer of integrated air and missile defence delivering effects from detection to destruction
About DRAGONFIRE
Cutting-Edge Technology to Address the Threat of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
No longer science fiction, laser weapon systems are now being developed to protect armed forces. At the forefront of this innovation is DRAGONFIRE, a Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) system developed through a trusted partnership led by MBDA with Leonardo UK and QinetiQ. Designed as an integral effector within a modern layered air defence, DRAGONFIRE offers armed forces a decisive technological advantage against high-volume, low-cost asymmetric threats, such as uncrewed aerial systems, which are increasing at an unprecedented rate.
DRAGONFIRE has already entered production and is on track to equip the UK’s Royal Navy in 2027, five years faster than previously planned. DRAGONFIRE’s maturity is the result of years of progressive investment and technical excellence, revolutionising the way armed forces approach air defence. Its speed-of-light engagement, exceptional precision, and ability to counter high-speed manoeuvring threats, such as fast-moving drones, provide a dependable and highly efficient means of protection in increasingly complex battle environments.
Unrivalled Capabilities for Protecting Armed Forces
DRAGONFIRE provides an innovative, powerful, efficient and cost-effective solution across maritime and land domains. Using world-leading coherent beam-combining technology, advanced tracking algorithms, and sophisticated image processing, the system can identify, track, deter, or disable hostile targets in seconds. Its effects range from dazzling a threat’s targeting sensors to fully neutralising incoming drones or other aerial systems, making it a versatile effector for the most demanding tactical scenarios.
As DRAGONFIRE operates using electrical power rather than ammunition, it allows virtually unlimited firing opportunities. This eliminates the logistical challenges associated with stockpile replenishment, reduces operational costs, and supports long deployments. By delivering extreme accuracy, comparable to striking a pound coin at several kilometres, while minimising collateral damage, DRAGONFIRE represents a breakthrough in responsible and sustainable force protection.
A Fruitful Collaboration in the Service of Sovereignty
In 2017, the UK Ministry of Defence and the Industry Partnership decided to jointly invest £100m in DRAGONFIRE, to conduct a series of trials that demonstrated DRAGONFIRE’s ability to track and engage air and sea targets with exceptional precision. The consistency of these results has led the UK Government to accelerate the system’s introduction into service, with a further £316m investment recognising its critical importance for modern defence.
Today, the DRAGONFIRE programme is sustaining over 650 highly skilled jobs in the industrial partnership and many more across the predominately UK-based supply chain. These jobs ensure expertise in high-precision laser technology, advanced electro-optics and effects management remain firmly anchored and will enable long-term industrial leadership in this emerging capability area.
The collaboration between MBDA, Leonardo, and QinetiQ has brought together decades of experience in air defence, advanced sensing, high-energy laser generation, and systems integration. This unique combination of knowledge and innovation has created a capability that not only meets current operational needs but also positions MBDA as a leading player in the future of directed-energy weapons.
Looking ahead, DRAGONFIRE promises to reshape the way armed forces protect themselves against high-volume, low-cost threats. In a battlespace increasingly defined by drones and automation, it provides a robust, sustainable, and sovereign solution capable of safeguarding national interests while strengthening the resilience, autonomy, and operational freedom of forces.
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