During the trial, British Army soldiers trained in the operation of the HELWS system effectively engaged moving aerial targets, marking a significant milestone in the program. According to James Gray, chief executive and managing director of Raytheon UK, "Our High-Energy Laser Weapon System has been used in operations globally, and now the British Army is experimenting with this game-changing capability. The success of this test is the result of the skill, dedication, and vision of our scientists and engineers who have collaborated with the British Army to help fulfil its commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation."
This experiment represents the first instance of the British Army testing a high-energy laser weapon mounted on an armored vehicle. The trial included comprehensive training for soldiers on the weapon's tracking and targeting systems, underscoring its practical application in operational scenarios.
The HELWS, developed in collaboration with Team Hersa - a joint effort involving Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) - became the first laser weapon integrated and fired from a land vehicle in the UK. This advanced system uses high-intensity energy beams to engage targets, supported by cutting-edge sensors and tracking systems to ensure precision in real-time combat scenarios.
"This milestone demonstrates the power of collaboration between Dstl, DE&S industry partners, and the British Army," said Matt Cork, Head of Team Hersa. "By integrating advanced directed energy technologies onto armored platforms, we're not only proving the feasibility of these game-changing systems but also accelerating their path to operational readiness. It's an exciting step forward in redefining the future of defence capability."
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