Close on the heels of year-long successful sea trials, Rheinmetall and MBDA Germany have delivered a laser weapon demonstrator to the German Navy for further testing.
The companies now believe an “operational laser weapon system could be available to the German Navy as of 2029, providing a powerful and cost-effective addition to conventional guided missiles,” according to a 28 October release. Trials under real operational conditions on the frigate Sachsen – over 100 live fire events and considerably more tracking trials – have proven system reliability and performance: the Navy will now continue testing in a ground-based environment against drone targets.
MBDA Germany’s responsibilities in the project cover target detection and tracking, control console and connectivity to the command and control systems, while Rheinmetall focuses on aiming, beam guidance and the high energy source (including peripherals) as well as mechanical and electrical integration of the system on Sachsen and the system container.
DA Comment
Laser-based effectors offer attractive solutions for the pressing challenge of non-cooperative drone and UAS targets. Precise and effective engagement, coupled with the deep magazine characteristic of energy weapons, means such systems provide an effective complement to existing systems and effectors, offering integration with layered defence systems. Future developments could extend such weapons’ target sets to supersonic missiles, rockets and even artillery and mortar shells.
Image courtesy Rheinmetall
