Britain will have laser weapon by 2019 as Michael Fallon outlines £30million killer technology
Defence Secretary says the weapon will protect ships from missiles and soldiers from enemy mortars
IT USED to just be part of science fiction like the Death Star in Star Wars but now it is becoming fact as Britain is developing a laser weapon with a prototype ready by 2019.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said the £30million scheme will create a weapon that works in all weathers and in water.
The British weapon will be designed by weapons company MBDA UK to protect ships from missiles and soldiers from enemy mortars.
Speaking today Mr Fallon said: “The UK has long enjoyed a reputation as a world leader in innovation.
“Our new Innovation Initiative will transform defence culture to ensure that we stay ahead of the curve.”
It will be paid for by the Ministry of Defence from a new £800million fund.
reports the fund will also pay for other technological advances on the battlefield including cutting edge anti-missile systems, life-saving vital signs monitors which send medical data in real time to medics, and tiny inspect-inspired surveillance drones.
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Today’s announcement comes a month after Mr Fallon revealed the SAS is building a fleet of fleet of solar-powered surveillance drones capable of staying airborne for up to 45 days at a time.
Britain has just bought its third “pseudo-satellite” drone capable of soaring to 70,000 feet, twice as a high as a passenger jet.
The trio of surveillance craft will be used to spy on terrorists around the world and are said to resemble Klingon Bird of Prey spaceships from Star Trek.
The drone is called the Zephyr S and has been built under a £13million contract with Airbus Defence and Space.
Airbus designed the Zephyr S in Farnborough, although exact details about its capabilities are shrouded in secrecy.
The MoD ordered two earlier this year and is expected to begin testing them in 2017.
In a statement, the MoD said: “Referred to as a high-altitude pseudo-satellite, it performs more like a satellite than a conventional unmanned aerial vehicle [drone].”