Laser weapons have begun to roll out across NATO as the German Navy completes a year-long test of MBDA Deutschland/Rheinmetall’s 20 kW laser weapon demonstrator in realistic sea conditions. It was installed on the 5,800-ton (6,393 t) frigate Sachsen.

The tests, organized by the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Bundeswehr Internal Support (BAAINBw), were carried out by the High Energy Laser Maritime Demonstrations Working Group (ARGE), consisting of MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall.

In June 2022, a modular laser weapon system was installed on the deck of Sachsen and integrated into the battleship’s control system. The weapon consists of 12 laser modules with a power of 2 kW, based on wound solid-state doped fiber bundles that produce high-quality laser beams. They pass through a beam combiner that uses spectral communications technology to create a much more powerful single beam that can be scaled up to 100 kW.

Over the past year, the German Navy has conducted six expeditions using the new laser system against a variety of targets, some of which are extremely maneuverable. During testing, the system worked with the ship’s sensors to detect, track and attack targets based on interactions with other Sachsen systems and programmed rules of engagement.

The laser was fired more than a hundred times in total and performances were performed in front of a crowd of German and NATO dignitaries over two VIP days.

According to Rheinmetall, the new laser is designed to counter drones, drone groups, speedboats and missiles at very short range. Later upgrades will be able to counter supersonic missiles, rockets, and mortar or artillery shells. Source