Britain has successfully fired a laser weapon from an army combat vehicle for the first time, the UK government announced today. During trials, the system “neutralised” targets at distances in excess of 1km, officials said. Matt Cork, programme lead of the government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), called the test a “pivotal moment.” “This technology offers a precise, powerful, and cost effective means to defeat aerial threats, ensuring greater protection for our forces,” he said.