Overview
- Rheinmetall and MBDA handed the containerised high-energy laser demonstrator to the Bundeswehr’s WTD 91 Laser Competence Centre in Meppen for land-based trials.
- The system completed roughly a year at sea on the frigate Sachsen with more than 100 live firings and numerous tracking tests, including engagements in front of blue sky.
- The partners have split responsibilities since 2019, with MBDA handling detection, tracking and control integration, and Rheinmetall providing aiming, beam guidance, ship integration and the laser source.
- Contractors say an operational shipboard capability could be available from 2029, contingent on continued testing and acceptance.
- Industry observers caution that shipboard power generation, cooling and integration remain key hurdles that could affect any deployment timeline.