UK directed energy weapons programme beyond DragonFire

Ministers keep quiet on laser weapons beyond DragonFire

UK Defence Ministers are declining to provide details on directed energy weapon programmes beyond the publicly acknowledged DragonFire high-energy laser. Parliamentary questions have elicited responses citing national security sensitivity around next-generation laser weapon development. DragonFire has completed shore-based trials and is being evaluated for shipborne and ground-based integration. The silence suggests classified laser weapon programmes are in advanced development beyond the DragonFire demonstrator.