The UK’s first firing of a high-power laser weapon against aerial targets has been achieved in a trial in the Hebrides, the UK Government has said.

The firing of the beam was made possible due to “DragonFire,” a laser-directed energy weapon system which is the result of a £100 million joint investment by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and industry partners.

The high-power laser beams that are emitted can hit targets at the speed of light and over long ranges, cutting through them and leading to structural failure—or more, if a warhead is targeted.

According to the government, the cost of operating the laser is typically less than £10 per shot, and has the potential to be a long-term, lower-cost alternative to certain tasks carried out by missiles.

This latest trial follows recent tests of DragonFire’s viability and performance at Porton Down in England.

The MOD recently announced its intention to fund a multi-million-pound programme to transition the technology from the research environment to the battlefield.

Both the Army and Royal Navy are considering using the laser beam tech as part of their future air defence capabilities.

Commenting on the trial, defence secretary Grant Shapp said: “This type of cutting-edge weaponry has the potential to revolutionise the battlespace by reducing the reliance on expensive ammunition, while also lowering the risk of collateral damage.

“Investments with industry partners in advanced technologies like DragonFire are crucial in a highly contested world, helping us maintain the battle-winning edge and keep the nation safe.”

Dr Paul Hollinshead, Dstl’s chief executive, also remarked: “These trials have seen us take a huge step forward in realising the potential opportunities and understanding the threats posed by directed energy weapons.

“With our decades of knowledge, skills, and operational experience, Dstl’s expertise is critical to helping the armed forces prepare for the future.”

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Shimon Fhima, director of strategic programmes for the MOD, further added: “The DragonFire trials at the Hebrides demonstrated that our world-leading technology can track and engage high-end effects at range.

“In a world of evolving threats we know that our focus must be on getting capability to the warfighter and we will look to accelerate this next phase of activity.”

The government said that UK defence is continuing to invest in the “game-changing” technology, and is advancing the plans which will ultimately bring it into service.