German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall Waffe Munition has announced that the German armed forces are using ship-based laser weapons for the first time. The German frigate Sachsen successfully attacked drones at low and very low altitudes in the Baltic Sea.

The laser weapon demonstrator used by the Army was developed by the Navy’s High Energy Laser Demonstration Working Committee “ARGE”, made up of MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH.

Daniel Gruber, Project Manager for Navy Demonstrators at MBDA Deutschland, and Dr. Markus Jung said that this historic event was a special moment because the team was able to do just that. Prove the abilities of laser guns.

“The teamwork between the two R&D partners played an important role in helping to integrate a fully functional, high-performance demonstrator into the frigate,” Gruber said. Said.

“The main components of the demonstrator are really high-tech. This is the result of many years of research by both participating companies. Many system components of the demonstrator were developed specifically for the project and combined in this form for the first time.”Naval Demonstrator Rheinmetall Waffe und Munition GmbH project manager Dr. Thomas Baumgartel added it.

The impressive performance of HEL effectors in protecting surface fighters from imminent and extreme melee threats can be attributed to the joint efforts of everyone involved in the project.

Doris Laarmann, Head of Laser Weapons at MBDA Deutschland and Alexander Graf, responsible for Laser Weapons Program Management at Rheinmetall Waffe und Munition GmbH, said that ongoing testing is the basis for introducing laser weapon systems and capabilities to the armed forces. . The defense industry can now move forward with laser systems to help protect troops everywhere.

The company now plans to continue testing high-energy laser weapons. Future test campaigns will implement new scenarios that will challenge the demonstrator’s abilities. The data collected during these tests will influence what needs to be done on the road to a fully functional and operational laser weapon.

“High-energy laser (HEL) weapon systems for the Navy will be particularly useful for defending against drones and swarms of drones, as well as intercepting high-speed attack boats at close and very close range. However, the system can be designed for higher performance and allows it to destroy guided missiles and mortar shells.”said Rheinmetall Waffe Ordnance.