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Yes
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No
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Tech Tree
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Premium
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Event
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Squadron
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Other
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I said I don’t want to see it in game
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Wolfhound (DragonFire)
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Wolfhound (HELWS)
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I don’t want to see this vehicle in game
Summary
The Wolfhound (HELWS/DragonFire) is a prototype vehicle, designed around the Dragonfire LDEW system, is a Surface to Surface and Surface to Air system designed as a low cost method to destroy incoming projectiles, including drones, and Air to Surface weapons. It would be, if added, one of the first Laser-based weapons to be added to the game.
The Wolfhound is a “Protected Patrol Vehicle” used by the British Army, primarily as a 6-wheeled transport for stores and ammunition, and is based off the Mastiff.
History
The Vehicle
Wolfhound was part of an urgent request for a more capable and well armoured platform, designed to withstand small arms fire, IEDs, and Shaped Charge warheads on a limited scale. Within 90 days of the first orders, NP Aerospace (at the time) and General Dynamics Land Systems had delivered the first prototypes of the Wolfhound, and by extension the Mastiff, which were both distant developments of the Cougar MRAP family, modified and fitted out to British requirements. The first operational deployment for the Wolfhound was in 2010 in Afghanistan, and the Wolfhound has actively been in service since, and an undisclosed number have been made available to Ukraine by the British.
The Weapon
The existence of the UK’s LDEW (Laser Directed Energy Weapon) project was announced in 2017, when it was revealed that a system, named DragonFire, was to be put forward as a test and development weapon, initially as a proof of concept. It was initially proposed to begin a testing programme from 2019 onwards, but difficulties in the technical aspects of the project and COVID-19 saw the testing delayed until 2022, when DragonFire was tested on the Porton Down ranges.
Testing has continued, culminating with the DragonFire system being mounted on the Wolfhound and fired from Radnor range in Wales, against moving Drone targets. All the Armed Forces of Britain have taken a particular interest, with the Army having successfully deployed the DragonFire on a vehicle of its own, and the Royal Navy intending to conduct trials aboard a Type 23 Frigate.
Originally, the DragonFire consisted of a Laser, a Beam Direct and Imaging system/Control unit. The turret mounted on this variant mounts an Electro-Optical Camera system and a low power Laser for imaging and tracking.
Specifications
Platform:
Name: Wolfhound
Crew 2
Length: 7.08m
Width: 2.74m
Height (without DragonFire): 2.64m
Top Speed (on road): 56mph/90kph
Top Speed (off road): 34mph/55kph
Empty Mass: 16,800kg
Maximum Mass: 23,600kg
Power: 330shp
Armour: Unknown, but known to conform to a standard of STANAG 4569, minimum Level 2. Spall Liner fitted. Bar Armour fitted as countermeasure to single charge ATGMs.
Weapons:
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1x DragonFire Laser - Ammunition: Unlimited
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1x 7.62mm L37A2 GPMG - Ammunition: Unknown
Weapon:
Name: DragonFire
Mass: Unknown, but less than 6,800kg
Velocity: 300,000,000m/s (approx.)
Maximum Range: Classified, but known to be in excess of 3.4km. Limited by Line of Sight.
Accuracy: Dispersion of less than 23mm per 1000m
Power: 50kW+
Guidance: SACLOS
Sensors: Optional External Radar set, Electro-Optical Tracker
NB: Masses given to nearest 100kg
Photos, Videos!
https://des.mod.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241029_DES01449_edit_web.jpg
courtesy of DSTL video: https://youtu.be/p5Nf8VLCtSw?si=AV0N6p1IqxOzy5NX
And, that one photo we all know and love:
Sources
Wolfhound:
Vehicle Upgrades | NP Aerospace
https://npaerospace.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/camac_brochure.pdf (Spall Liner + STANAG 4569 L2 proof, accessible via NP Aerospace website)
DragonFire:
Laser power moves a step closer for UK defence - GOV.UK - Proof for Range
DragonFire laser: MoD tests weapon as low-cost alternative to missiles - BBC News - Proof for Dispersion
First trial on British Army vehicle for high-powered laser weapon - GOV.UK
UK Dragonfire Laser Begins Firing Trials | Aviation Week Network - Manufacturer Info and Firing Dates pre-2022
