Rheinmetall and MBDA deliver laser demonstrator to Bundeswehr

The Rheinmetall and MBDA laser demonstrator pictured during sea trials on the Type 124-class frigate Sachsen . (MBDA)

Rheinmetall and MBDA have delivered a laser demonstrator to the Bundeswehr Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (Wehrtechnische Dienststelle 91: WTD 91) for experimentation purposes, Rheinmetall announced in a press release on 27 October.

The delivery follows successful at-sea testing of the laser system on the German Navy's Type 124-class frigate Sachsen (F 219). The containerised system was embarked on the frigate from October 2022 to September 2023. The at-sea tests included over 100 firing trials, and a larger number of tracking trials, Rheinmetall said. In the 27 October press release, the company said an operational laser system could be available to the German Navy by 2029.

The containerised demonstrator has been commissioned at WTD 91's Laser Competence Centre in Meppen, Germany, for further land-based “drone defence testing”. Rheinmetall said the laser can act as a complement to guns and missiles and can be used against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), UAV swarms, and speedboats, and if necessary, guided missiles at closer ranges. In the future, the system could receive improved capabilities and be able “to destroy supersonic guided missiles and rockets, as well as mortar and artillery shells”, Rheinmetall said.

Rheinmetall and MBDA have been collaborating on the development of high-energy laser effectors since 2019. Work on the demonstrator system saw MBDA Deutschland take responsibility for target detection and tracking, the control console, and the connection of the demonstrator to the command-and-control (C2) system. Rheinmetall was responsible for the aiming system, beam guidance, and the demonstrator container, alongside the mechanical and electrical integration of the demonstrator on Sachsen.

Further analysis and assessment online:

Bundeswehr completes laser weapon demonstrator trials at sea