British Army successfully tests controversial laser weapon against moving targets
- Raytheon UK successfully conducted a live-firing trial of its High-Energy Laser Weapon System with the British Army at a military range in Wales.
- This trial marked the first deployment of the HELWS on an armored vehicle, demonstrating its capability to track and neutralize moving aerial targets.
- The event underscores the collaboration between defense industry partners and the British Army towards enhancing defense capabilities using advanced technologies.
On December 11, 2024, Raytheon UK, part of RTX, revealed the successful live-firing trial of its High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) conducted with the British Army at a military range in Wales. This trial marks a significant milestone as the first time this high-energy laser weapon has been tested mounted on an armored vehicle, showcasing advanced targeting and tracking capabilities by trained soldiers. The trial was part of the Ministry of Defence's Land Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) demonstrator programme and involved British soldiers effectively tracking and neutralising moving aerial targets using the HELWS. The event highlighted Raytheon's global operational history of the HELWS and its potential to change the landscape of modern warfare, as stated by James Gray, chief executive and managing director of Raytheon UK. Highlighting the collaboration between various defense entities, Matt Cork, Head of Team Hersa, emphasized the integration of advanced directed energy technologies onto armored platforms. This successful trial is a step towards operational readiness, confirming the system's effectiveness in real-world conditions and its promising role in strengthening the British Army’s defense capabilities. Raytheon has a long legacy of developing defense solutions for national security. With over 185,000 employees globally, RTX, through its various business units, seeks to push technological boundaries within the defense sector. The HELWS trial with the British Army represents a collaborative effort that not only serves current military needs but also sets the foundation for future advancements in defense technologies.