“Rheinmetall and MBDA Secure Groundbreaking Contract for Advanced Laser Defense Technology”

The Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) in Germany has granted a contract to a consortium, or ARGE, comprising MBDA Deutschland GmbH and Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH. This agreement focuses on the construction, integration, and testing support of a laser weapon demonstrator specifically designed for maritime applications. The contract value falls within the low double-digit million euro category.

Tasks will be distributed approximately equally between the two companies. MBDA Deutschland will oversee the tracking systems, the operator’s interface, and the integration of the laser weapon demonstrator with the command-and-control infrastructure. On the other hand, Rheinmetall will manage the laser weapon station, the beam directing apparatus, cooling systems, and the incorporation of the laser weapon framework into the project container of the laser source demonstrator.

The laser weapon demonstrator is set to be manufactured, evaluated, and integrated by the conclusion of 2021. Testing aboard the German Navy frigate F-124 Sachsen is scheduled for 2022.

Doris Laarmann, leading the laser business development at MBDA Deutschland, articulated, “This contract signifies a crucial milestone toward realizing an operational high-energy laser system. Our two organizations will leverage their respective expertise to ensure the success of this initiative for the German Navy. Following installation, the demonstrator will serve to assess key elements, including the interplay and functionality of the sensor suite, combat management system, and effectors, along with engagement protocols.”
Alexander Graf, head of Rheinmetall Waffe Munition’s laser armament program, and Dr. Markus Jung, who directs the company’s laser weapon innovation efforts, concurred, stating that “This contract represents a systematic advancement of the functional prototype laser armament successfully evaluated in recent years, as the insights acquired are now seamlessly integrated into one of the premier projects in European laser weapon development.”

A revolutionary progression in the domain of defense technology, laser systems engage targets at light speed, demonstrating exceptional accuracy while inflicting minimal collateral damage. A demonstrator equipped with these attributes will soon undergo rigorous testing under highly realistic operational scenarios aboard a German frigate.