The DragonFire laser program advanced further as MBDA issued a £67 million contract to QinetiQ to refine the system’s high-energy laser source. Successful live-fire trials demonstrated the weapon’s ability to defeat fast-moving drones at minimal cost per engagement. Originally planned for deployment in the 2030s, the UK Ministry of Defence accelerated the timeline to 2027, integrating DragonFire onto Royal Navy warships. The program highlights the UK’s push toward directed-energy weapons as a cost-effective air defense solution.
