Raytheon UK in collaboration with the Department of Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and the Department of Defense Equipment and Support (DE&S) have successfully tested a High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS).
The laser weapon test, carried out at the Dstl training site in Forton Down, was the first of its kind to be carried out in the UK. This laser weapon successfully shot down a light drone.
HELWS is a light and portable system. The weapon became fully operational when mounted on the British Army's Wolfhound 6×6 armored vehicle.
This successful integration represents significant progress in the UK Department of Health's Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) pilot programme.