Laser

[Schneemann]

Germany Successfully Completes Laser Weapon Testing At Sea

At-sea tests of a laser weapon demonstrator (LWD) was successfully completed following its integration on German Navy frigate “SACHSEN” in June 2022. [...]

During the trials with overall six campaigns lasting nearly a year, the combat effectiveness of the laser weapon demonstrator, or LWD, has been proven in increasingly complex scenarios under realistic operating conditions against different target types. This included all aspects from detection and tracking (including highly agile targets); the interplay of sensors, command and weapon engagement systems and effectors; possible rules of engagement; and of course the successful engagement of targets with a high-energy laser beam. [...]

At the end of the trials, the LWD’s capabilities were successfully demonstrated at two VIP days in front of high-ranking representatives of the Federal Office for Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), the Germany Navy and Army as well as the Bundeswehr Office for Defence Planning (PlgABw), which among other things including shooting down a drone. Also, representatives of the British, Netherlands and Norwegian Navy participated during the demonstration. The huge success of the test campaign was the outcome of an excellent cooperation between BAAINBw incl. its subordinate detachments, the German Navy and especially the crew of the frigate “SACHSEN” and the ARGE. [...]

Complementing gun-based systems and guided missiles, an operational laser weapon system lends itself particularly to countering the threat from drones, drone swarms, speedboats and possibly missiles at close to very close range. In future, moreover, it could undergo a performance upgrade for destroying supersonic missiles, rockets as well as mortar and artillery rounds.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/202...ng-at-sea/

Schneemann