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THE DEATH RAY
Star Wars-style laser weapon tested for first time and destroys drone two miles away
A LASER cannon set to unleash Star Wars-style battles has been test fired for the first time.
Britain’s Dragon Fire blasted a drone from over two miles away.
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Pictures acquired by The Sun show the quadcopter erupting in flames.
The laser’s invisible 50kW beam can hit targets the size of a £1 coin that is travelling at the speed of sound.
Sources said the laser – which boasts "pin point accuracy" – could revolutionise future wars as it needs no ammunition.
And it could be used to shoot down Russian hypersonic missiles or enemy satellites.
READ MORE ON LASER WEAPONS
The £100million prototype, which needs no ammunition, had never been fired at full power prior to tests at the MoD’s Porton Down range in Wiltshire last week.
It uses mirrors to focus heat on one point.
Tests went up to 2.1 miles but the laser’s top range is classified.
A source said the gun was placed on a hill and fired downwards into a natural bowl as a safety precaution.
It is expected to be used on warships first as they have sufficient power.
It was built entirely in Britain by scientists at Leonardo, QiniteQ and MBDA.
Ben Maddison, from the Defence Science and Technology Lab, said the tests proved Britain had “world-leading capability”.
DSTL said: “To ensure absolute safety it was necessary that the effects were contained within the range area.”
A source said one of the biggest challenges had been designing a system that could aim such a powerful laser without burning itself up in the process.
Edinburgh-based Leonardo said: “The results so far have been impressive, with pin-point accuracy maintained at long-ranges.
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“The next step will be to mature this technology and develop it into a battlefield-ready suite of capabilities.”
It is expected to be used on warships first because they have sufficient power.
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