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U.K 

NP Aerospace, in collaboration with Raytheon UK, has announced its pivotal role as a key partner in the UK Ministry of Defence's Laser Directed Energy Weapon Land Demonstrator programme. The focus of this partnership is the integration of Raytheon's High-Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS) onto the Wolfhound vehicle.

The initiative marks a significant step forward, with Raytheon UK having recently received its inaugural HELWS unit from the United States for testing within the UK. Since its arrival, the vehicle engineering team at NP Aerospace's Coventry facility has been spearheading the integration efforts, with mobility trials slated for later this year.

Wolfhound, a crucial component of the UK MOD's protected mobility fleet managed by NP Aerospace, was selected for integration owing to its leading capabilities and the potential afforded by the new XC mobility architecture upgrade in off-road performance. The 15-kilowatt laser Raytheon HELWS system represents the latest innovation in the UK's arsenal aimed at countering aerial threats, particularly Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The UK MOD, at the helm of the programme, recently announced the successful firing of a similar system, underscoring the efficacy of such technologies.

David Petheram, Managing Director & Senior Vice President of NP Aerospace Vehicle Systems, Services, and Spares, expressed satisfaction in contributing to the enhancement of the UK's Short Range Air Defence capability. Leveraging NP Aerospace's extensive knowledge of vehicle platforms and associated technologies, Petheram emphasized the strategic value of equipping the Wolfhound with advanced defensive capabilities, thereby expanding its operational versatility in diverse environments.

NP Aerospace has been collaborating closely with Raytheon UK to devise and refine a suite of integration hardware and interfaces essential for the seamless operation of the HELWS from the Wolfhound platform.

Marcus Kears, Raytheon UK High Energy Laser Programme Manager, highlighted the pivotal role of laser-directed energy weapons in shaping the future landscape of defence operations. Drawing from the system's track record of success in the United States, where it has neutralized over 400 targets during 25,000 operational hours, Kears underscored the significance of the partnership with NP Aerospace in facilitating the deployment of this transformative technology in the UK.

The ongoing collaboration between Raytheon UK, NP Aerospace, and the UK MOD signifies a concerted effort towards advancing the utilization of directed energy weapons within the country's defence framework. With preparations underway for live-fire system acceptance tests later this year, the partnership remains committed to driving innovation and bolstering the nation's defensive capabilities against evolving threats.