QinetiQ Invests £20 Million in Laser Weapon Development
QinetiQ, a UK defence technology company, announced a £20 million investment to accelerate the development and production of high-energy laser directed energy weapons. The company unveiled its HELENA brand of coherent beam combination laser sources at the Farnborough International Airshow. These laser sources are critical components for systems designed to defend against drones and advanced threats. QinetiQ is a member of the UK's DragonFire consortium, alongside MBDA and Leonardo, which aims to deliver laser weapon systems to the Royal Navy from 2027. The investment will expand production capacity at QinetiQ's sites in Farnborough and Malvern and support 150 existing jobs. CEO Steve Wadey highlighted the technology's low cost per shot and near-infinite magazine depth, positioning it as a game-changer in battlefield economics against drone threats.
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