How UK laser weapon takes down drones

Hello. UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps told reporters a laser weapon called DragonFire could be used in Ukraine against Russian drones. Ian Casey and Jonathan Beale explain why that ambition could be overly optimistic. In Mozambique, Essimela Ibrahim and Jose Tembe hear from one of the few survivors of a ferry disaster in which more than 100 people were killed. We also take a look at the effort to restore Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris to its former glory, and how stranded sailors were rescued from an island. Finally, have a go at this week's news quiz. Regular readers should get at least 3/6.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

UK laser weapon fast-tracked to operation

The weapon can hit a £1 coin from a kilometre away, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Credit: MoD

A UK high-power laser weapon called DragonFire could be sent to Ukraine to take down Russian drones, said Defence Secretary Grant Shapps. He claimed the weapon could have "huge ramifications" for the conflict in Europe.

What makes DragonFire a powerful weapon?

The greatest advantage of lasers is cost and, in theory, an "unlimited magazine" of ammunition - as long as there is a reliable source of power. But the big drawback is that they can only fire at targets in the line of sight, unlike most missiles.

When will the weapon be operational?

The laser was originally expected to be operational by 2032, but new reforms intended to speed up government procurement of weapons mean that it will now be ready five years earlier. The defence secretary told reporters that he wanted to speed this up even further. "Let's say that it didn't have to be 100% perfect in order for Ukrainians perhaps to get their hands on it," Mr Shapps said. "It's designed to not wait until we have this at 99.9% perfection before it goes into the field, but get it to sort of 70% and then get it out there and then develop it from there," he added.

How likely is that scenario?

Lasers have not been tried and tested in battle. Any suggestion that UK lasers could be sent to Ukraine to take out Russian drones is optimistic. Ukraine's demands are more urgent.

THE BIG PICTURE

Rebuilding Notre-Dame, progress report

Notre-Dame is on course to be fully restored by December 2024. Credit: Reuters

Five years after a fire damaged the iconic Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, new video shows the progress of the ongoing renovation. The 850-year-old Gothic building's spire and roof collapsed in April 2019 but the main structure, including the two bell towers, were saved.

And finally... in Micronesia

It is rare that something you see in movies works in real life. But that's what happened to three stranded sailors who were rescued from the uninhabited Pikelot Atoll by writing "HELP" with palm fronds on the beach. It's not the first time it happened on this very island - three mariners where saved in 2020 thanks to their "SOS" message.