b'Partner News Spring 2022 39CorporateLeveraging Raytheon Technologies proven,Going forward, Raytheon UK intends operational technology in our HELWS trialsto collaborate with additional industry will fast-track the development of UKpartners. The result will be a system largely directed-energy solutions and accelerateTheres a major costdeveloped in the UKa sovereign capability our delivery to the MOD. differential in thewith freedom of action.Raytheon UKs proposition is a modularamount of money weIn essence, this means that we will have our and open solution that enables new UKmust spend to defendown ability to use the system as required, technology to be inserted as it becomesourselves against relativelyimplementing UK rules of engagement and mature, allowing future open competition. understanding and modifying the command inexpensive threats. and control systems to meet operational Investment in novel weapons needs. High-energy laser weapons are part of a group of novel weapons that use directedThis is important as the UK Government energy, which, provided an ample poweraspires to have an indigenous on-shore source, gives military personnel virtuallycapability in all directed energy weapons, unlimited ammunition. Cooper says.This is an area seeing significant UKThe evolution of the battlespaceinvestment. In March 2021, the UKRaytheon UKs ability to bring RaytheonThe arrival of the demonstrator in the UK Government announced it would commitIntelligence & Spaces 15kw laser system towill cap what has been a 20-year quest for 6.6bn of defence funding over thethe UK minimises programme risk, enablingthe defence sector to bring laser weapons following four years to researchingthe company to deliver a high-paced, low- to the battlefield. Part of the difficulty and developing novel weapons such asrisk, cost-effective technical solution for thehas been building not just the laser, but hypersonic missiles and laser weapons asMOD. integrating all the other capabilities suchpart of its directed energy programme.a weapon requires.While the laser itself will come from Driving investment is the growing threatoverseas, much of the demonstratorsIts not just about having a high-power from low-cost systems, such as UAVs,capability is being designed and developedlaser. In fact, thats relatively easy to build, rockets, artillery shells and mortars. in the UK. This included the commandsays Marshall. and control system, GPS antenna, Theres a major cost differential in theexternal tracker/radar, safety, training andUser accuracy and safety are a priority; the amount of money we must spend to defendintegration. critical elements are being able to detect ourselves against relatively inexpensivethe target, track very accurately and then threats. Its easy for an adversary to launchWeve formed a Raytheon UK-led capabilityengage the target with the laser system. 30 to 40 UAVs at the same cost as oneteam comprising world-leading defence defensive missile, notes Toby Marshall,company expertise to help deliver theAll these mechanisms, such as the precision Raytheon UKs Novel Weapons Captureprogramme, says Cooper. targeting and detection, logistics and Lead. operational safety will be supplied by our This team, which includes SMEs such asRaytheon UK team.But by having a highly accurate high- Fraser Nash, NP Aerospace and LumOptica, energy laser or directed-energy system,will help Raytheon UK deliver the HELWSSupporting the MODs novel weapons where the cost per shot is significantlyinto UK service. programme and UK prosperity agenda, lower, you can defeat whole swarms ofRaytheon UK is sufficiently placed to help these threats. This is because, unlikeOne of the things we do really well asrealise the UKs first HELWS capability, conventional weapons systems, you have ana company is create fully collaborativeenabling new technology, knowledge and infinite arsenal. team environments, says Cooper. Wereexpertise and developing sustainable, high-leading a nationwide team that will deliverskilled jobs within the UK supply chain.High-paced, low-risk solution a Raytheon UK-designed command and Raytheon Technologies, Raytheon UKscontrol system out of our WaddingtonBy 2025, well have placed the country at US parent, has substantial experience inbase, provide systems engineering throughthe forefront of this emerging technology, developing and fielding high-energy lasersour Harlow facility, and weve got powerequipping British frontline Armed Forces with thousands of operational hours undermanagement support delivered from ourwith the best affordable sovereign solutions. its belt.Glenrothes site in Scotland.While this is a one-off demonstrator Last March Raytheon Intelligence & Space,NP Aerospace will integrate the laser ontosystem, our long-term goal is to provide a Raytheon Technologies business, wasvehicles in Coventry, and Bristol-basedthis capability as a UK sovereign system awarded a $15.5m contract to build andFraser Nash and LumOptica will providefor domestic and overseas customers, deliver an upgraded version of its HELWSsystem safety, UK laser expertise andsays Alex Rose-Parfitt, Raytheon UKs for the US Air Force. independently assess the solution.Engineering Director.'