Rheinmetall and MBDA Germany have transferred their jointly developed naval laser weapon demonstrator to the Bundeswehr’s Laser Competence Centre at the Technical Centre for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen. This follows the successful completion of a year-long sea trial on the frigate Sachsen, where the system demonstrated its ability to detect, track and engage aerial targets, including drones.
The demonstrator’s transfer will allow for continued testing and development in a controlled land environment as engineers refine the system for operational deployment, which could begin as early as 2029. The program is part of Germany’s broader effort to field cost-effective, directed-energy weapons that complement conventional air and missile defense systems.
During the sea trials aboard the Sachsen, the containerized laser system underwent more than 100 live-firing tests and extensive tracking evaluations, achieving what Rheinmetall and MBDA describe as Europe’s first demonstration of a naval laser weapon’s full operational potential under real-world conditions. The trials confirmed the system’s high precision and rapid reaction speed, proving its ability to neutralize small and fast-moving threats such as drones and unmanned boats.
At Meppen, the demonstrator will now be used in further drone defense experiments, expanding its tested use cases beyond maritime environments. Officials at WTD 91 have supported the acceptance and commissioning process, enabling the system to transition smoothly into the next development phase.
The laser weapon system is being designed to engage uncooperative or hostile targets at close range, including drones, drone swarms and small surface vessels, with future versions expected to counter faster and more complex threats such as guided missiles, artillery shells and rockets. Developers emphasize that the technology’s precision and low cost per shot make it a valuable supplement to kinetic defenses like guns and missiles.
Under the industrial partnership, Rheinmetall is responsible for the high-energy laser source, beam guidance and integration of the laser container onto naval platforms, while MBDA Germany oversees target acquisition, tracking and system command integration. Both companies have worked together since 2019 on laser effector technologies, with workshare divided nearly evenly between them.
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Bildnachweis: Rheinmetall
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