The Modern Battlefield - Harnessing The Power Of Lasers

10th January 2024

Two former Defence Science and Technology Laboratory researchers and inventors use their expertise to manufacture laser detection and protection systems for defence and security industries.

The realm of laser technology has revved up; finding applications in various industries ranging from manufacturing to medicine. The rise of lasers has also led to an increased need for laser detection systems for defence.

Technological advancements have always driven the evolution of warfare, and so the use of lasers in the modern battlespace is a prime example of this progress.

Our scientists are tasked with researching and advising on specialist technologies, such as lasers, to understand their risks and opportunities and make sure the UK has the right capabilities both now and in the future.

Our work often has applications outside defence and security, and as well as boosting the UK economy through our work with industry and academic partners, our innovations can sometimes even be the basis of brand new businesses, creating jobs and wealth for the UK.

Background on lasers
Laser detection refers to the process of identifying, measuring, and analysing laser radiation or beams. It involves the use of specialized devices and techniques to detect the presence, intensity, and characteristics of lasers.

Not all lasers are dangerous. For example, you can find a laser in your phone's facial recognition system, car parking sensors or a golf rangefinder - but in the battlespace, lasers are used to highlight, pinpoint and engage targets. Being able to distinguish harmless lasers from threats to life is therefore a difficult task, particularly in congested and cluttered urban warzones.

Lasers have different characteristics and identifiable signatures, so with the right laser detection system you can find out what's targeting you, whether it's lethal or not and where you're illuminated from.

Existing laser detection systems can be bulky, expensive and difficult to integrate onto military platforms. Systems intended for mounted use must either be part of the original capability project, or part of an upgrade or enhancement programme to ensure full integration and testing. Such upgrade and procurement cycles can take years, or even decades.

A system based on lower cost, off-the-shelf components that deploy in haste onto either vehicles or soldiers would offer a disruptive capability enhancement. That's exactly what 2 scientists invented at Dstl Porton Down.

Creating an innovative business
As Dstl researchers and inventors in the field of optics, Chris and Sean saw a gap in the market for innovative sensing products that:

were platform and system agnostic
could be deployed easily
required minimal training
So in 2020 Chris and Sean started Sentinel Photonics with investment from Ploughshare.

Ploughshare is wholly owned by Dstl and engages with industry to negotiate license deals and create spin-out companies and get extra impact from innovations by all MOD departments.

Sentinel Photonics' human-mounted laser threat detection technology is simple to deploy and distribute to the human forces that are still critical to the army and battlefields of today.

The defence market is the primary focus for Sentinel Photonics, but there is also potential application in aviation. This could be private or commercial as their technology allows pilots to have increased knowledge of what might be targeting them and from what direction.

Chris said:

"Sean and I shared a vision of taking the outstanding science and technology done by Dstl and continuing to develop it into tangible, life-saving technologies.

"Since setting up Sentinel Photonics in partnership with Ploughshare, we've developed 3 laser protection products which build upon and incorporate at least 5 distinct pieces of Dstl Intellectual Property. These products are now available to, and used by, Dstl's customers, showing that the spinout model is a great tool for the exploitation of Dstl's innovations."

Dstl careers: Dr Tim Kendall, principal scientist and laser physicist
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory's Dr Tim Kendall is one of very few academic laser experts in the UK, with his expertise recognised internationally.

aser development is a next-generation technology that could revolutionise the battlefield and reduce the loss of life and equipment.

A route into laser physics
"I was doing a degree in Applied Physics, which included a year in industry at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. I worked with large and dangerous amounts of Krypton Fluoride on a laser system called ‘Titania’ for Inertial Confinement Fusion research, which is terra-watt peak powers in very short pulse duration.

"My job wasn’t glamorous in the slightest, and I understood next to nothing - but I found it all very fascinating. It was then I decided to change my degree to Optoelectronic Engineering (‘Laser Physics’) in my final year.

"For my final year project I built a laser, which led to me being accepted on the PhD programme at the University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre. After working as a research fellow for a couple of years I eventually ended up getting a job in industry building optical fibre lasers, but it was working in defence that really interested me - and that’s when I came to Dstl."

Dstl started the building and specification of lasers for air survivability, such as laser jamming of optically guided threats, with small inroads into the realms of laser protection and threat warning. While working at Dstl, Dr Kendall had the opportunity to help develop a basic Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) capability at the Porton Down electro-optic facility.

Dr Kendall now works within the energy weapons team, spreading his work between laboratory, office and home. He also leads all laser range activity, as the only Trials Conducting Officer with a licence to run laser trial at Dstl Porton Down.

As well as his work on the range, Dr Kendall is the Lead Laser Physicist for the Laser Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) Programme, offering advice on technology development and experimental trials activities, with some involvement in laser safety.

The best job in Defence science?
"I get to push the boundaries of what is physically possible - in this case I get to make things very hot, very quickly, with a cleverly-engineered beam of single-frequency light.

"I get to work with like-minded people within Dstl, academia and industry, and I really believe that we are, by researching the subject, making the world a better and safer place.

“Every day at Dstl is different, there is very rarely a boring day, I love problem solving and I enjoy my work, which I think very few people get to say.

“Did I mention that I get to burn stuff with a big laser?"

Work-life balance
“I have a very demanding daughter at home and Dstl have gone out of their way to let me know she comes first. I get to spend time pushing my daughter on a swing, so what’s really not to like about that work-life balance?"

Next step for laser science
Dr Kendall is looking forward to seeing his work in action. Once the science has been fully determined, the first laser weapons will undergo user testing on a number of Royal Navy and British Army platforms.

Explore and apply for current opportunities at Dstl