Science fiction scenes in Britain. The UK opened fire with a gun high power laser against an aerial target for the first time in a test. The test was crowned with success.

The weapon, with a name “Dragon Fire”, (DragonFire) is so accurate that striking a pound coin from miles away, according to the British Ministry of Defence.

Britain’s Ministry of Defense described the test, in Scotland’s Hebrides Range, as a “significant step” in deploying the technology.

In London they hope the trial will pave the way for an alternative low cost solution instead of rockets to shoot down targets such as drones.

Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said the technology could reduce “reliance on expensive munitions while reducing the risk of collateral loss.”

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The Ministry of Defense says both the Army and the Royal Navy are considering using the technology as part of future air defense capabilities.

In Britain they report that the cost of using the DragonFire system for 10 seconds is equivalent to using it of a standard radiator for one hour, meaning its running cost is usually less than £10 per shot.

Laser-directed energy weapons (LDEWs) use an intense beam of light to strike their target, while they can hit at the speed of light.

The range of the DragonFire system is classified, but it is a line-of-sight weapon, meaning it has a range to attack any visible target.

The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a joint investment 100 million pounds by the British government and the country’s industry.

The development of laser weapons comes amid the increasing use of drones in conflict, which has been seen during the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with Russia believed to be using Iranian ‘kamikaze’ drones to attack Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine, which also uses some “kamikaze” drones, has created its own army of drones.