Rheinmetall Achieves Breakthrough with Cutting-Edge Laser Warfare Innovation
Rheinmetall is steadily advancing in the field of laser armaments, having recently finalized a series of successful and extensive trials with a weapon station. Paired with a laser, this weapon station showcased its rapid response and accuracy in evaluations carried out in December 2018. The station can be equipped with lasers delivering an output power in the 100 kW range.
These assessments took place in Switzerland at Rheinmetall’s Ochsenboden testing facility near Zürich, where drones and mortar rounds were effectively targeted at relevant operational distances.
The laser weapon station represents the latest phase and a logical progression in Rheinmetall’s transition of laser technology into a robust weapon system. It comprises four primary modules: the laser source, beam director with telescope, and a coarse tracker (the weapon station).
The mobile weapon station is responsible for mechanically orienting the laser towards its target.
This mobile weapon station performs the essential function of mechanizing the aim of the laser towards designated targets. With the successful development of a weapon station tailored to fulfill the needs of a laser system, Rheinmetall now possesses all fundamental components for a future laser weapon platform.
The laser weapon station was integrated with a beam director—successfully tested multiple times—and high-capacity Rheinmetall lasers. It is also engineered to unite with an upcoming 20 kW laser source produced by Rheinmetall.
Well-suited for ground, aerial, and naval operations, these modular and scalable assemblies can be deployed across various military platforms, independent of the threat environment.
Key performance features of the laser weapon station include its highly precise mechanical aiming function, with a limitless 360° traversing range and an elevation capability exceeding 270°. The system architecture, aligned with EN DIN 61508 standards, is similarly designed to the MANTIS air defense system currently operational within the Bundeswehr, thereby providing connections to higher-level air defense frameworks.
