German Navy frigate tests new laser weapon

The German Navy frigate Sachsen Anhalt was recently used as a testbed for a new type of locally-developed, ship-mounted laser weapon.

The high-energy weapon is being developed by the ARGE consortium formed in 2021 by German defence companies MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition. MBDA Deutschland is responsible for tracking, the operator’s console, and linking the laser weapon demonstrator to the command-and-control system, while Rheinmetall is in charge of the laser weapon station, the beam guiding system, cooling, and integration of the laser weapon system into the project container of the laser source demonstrator.

The demonstrator laser weapon was tested in the Baltic Sea. MBDA said the demonstrator will also be used to test important aspects such as the interaction and function of the sensor suite, combat management system and effector, as well as rules of engagement.