RAF pilots are set to receive a significant upgrade to their defence capabilities following a series of successful live-fire trials of a cutting-edge laser-based air protection system. The laser, designed for use on a variety of RAF aircraft, including the Shadow R2 and A400M, achieved a 100% success rate in defeating missile threats during trials in Sweden.
The system, developed through a collaboration between UK defence companies Leonardo UK and Thales UK, along with the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), demonstrated the ability to simultaneously neutralise multiple infrared heat-seeking missiles with pinpoint accuracy.
Live Trials and Capabilities
The trials, held at the Vidsel Test Range in Sweden, were overseen by senior military officers from several NATO nations. The system, known as Miysis Directed Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM), successfully detected, tracked, and defeated all threats during the live-fire test, highlighting its advanced capabilities in protecting RAF aircraft from missile attacks.
The laser works in conjunction with Thales’s Elix-IR threat warning system, which uses sophisticated algorithms to identify and classify missile threats. Once detected, the system directs a laser beam at the incoming missiles, disrupting their guidance systems and rendering them ineffective. The speed and precision of the system allow it to neutralise threats faster than it takes to read this sentence.
Mark Elson, Dstl’s Chief for Air Survivability, explained that the new system is the result of years of research and development, blending the MOD’s scientific expertise with the capabilities of UK industry partners. The technology, based on a process called Spiral Development, ensures that it remains adaptable to future threats, offering long-term operational benefits for the UK and its allies.
Economic Impact
In addition to bolstering national defence capabilities, the project supports significant economic growth across Scotland, sustaining 1,250 jobs at Leonardo in Edinburgh and 700 positions at Thales in Glasgow. In total, the collaboration supports 1,950 jobs, benefiting both local and national economies.
Stephen McCann, Managing Director of Thales’s Optronics & Missile Electronics UK, expressed pride in the achievements of the Elix-IR team, noting the system’s world-leading capabilities. He emphasised that the MOD has adopted Elix-IR as its core infrared threat detection technology, citing its proven effectiveness during previous trials in 2018.
Looking Ahead
Defence Secretary John Healey highlighted the importance of equipping the Armed Forces with the latest technology to maintain a strategic advantage. He praised the new air protection laser system as a prime example of collaboration between the MOD’s scientific expertise and the UK defence industry.
With the success of these trials, the UK Armed Forces are one step closer to deploying this advanced laser system, ensuring they remain prepared to counter emerging threats in future operations.