QinetiQ, a Hampshire-based defence-technology company with operations in Wiltshire and Bristol, has announced a £20m investment in its UK facilities to boost production of high-energy laser systems. The funding will be directed to its Malvern site, which specialises in electronic warfare and surveillance, and its headquarters in Farnborough.
Investment to accelerate laser weapon development
The money will be used to accelerate the development and manufacture of QinetiQ's high-energy laser technology, known as Helena, which was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show this week. Helena is a critical component of laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) systems, designed to defend against drones and advanced threats. QinetiQ has spent 25 years developing the technology and is part of the UK DragonFire consortium, which includes MBDA and Leonardo, to bolster the UK's LDEW capability.
Deployment to Royal Navy ships next year
Next year, QinetiQ will deliver LDEW systems to Royal Navy ships. Steve Wadey, group chief executive of QinetiQ, said: “Directed Energy Weapons are quickly moving from development to deployment to change the game in battlefield economics against the drone threat, and QinetiQ has been at the forefront of this technology for two decades. The investment announced today demonstrates our commitment to accelerating both the development and manufacture of sovereign laser technology, ensuring we can meet the growing demand from the UK and our international allies and provide them with the operational advantage on the battlefield.”
Other defence deals at Farnborough Air Show
The investment follows a series of South West defence technology deals at the Farnborough Air Show. Babcock signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a Plymouth-based tech company to explore low-cost missiles on uncrewed boats. Rolls-Royce also confirmed plans to build a £100m research and manufacturing defence hub in Filton near Bristol.
