QinetiQ reports is investing UKP20 million to accelerate the development and production of critical Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) technology, expanding both its product portfolio and production capability, to support future LDEW programmes in the UK and allied markets.
At Farnborough International Airshow today, QinetiQ is unveiling HELENA™, the new brand name for its coherent beam combination (CBC) High Energy Laser Source products. “These laser sources are the critical component of any LDEW system, which can be used to defend against drones and other advanced threats,” said the company in a statement. “QinetiQ continues to be a key member of the UK’s DragonFire consortium alongside MBDA and Leonardo, delivering LDEW systems on to Royal Navy ships from 2027.”
The company-funded investment will see QinetiQ increase its development and production capabilities at its sites in both Farnborough and Malvern, expanding the range of products and significantly increasing production capacity for LDEW systems, both for the UK and international defence markets.
For more information
https://www.qinetiq.com/en/what-we-do/research-and-development/directed-energy-systems/dragonfire
(Image: DragonDire – QinetiQ)