Targeting military laser technology! Two major enterprises plan to establish a joint venture company

Latest news: Rheinmetall and European Missile Group Germany plan to establish a joint venture to develop shipborne laser weapons.

The cooperation between the two companies in the field of military laser technology has been ongoing for several years. In 2022 and 2023, under the framework of the High Energy Marine Laser Demonstration Working Group (ARGE), the jointly developed laser was successfully tested on the Saxony frigate.

In September 2023, Rheinmetall and the European Missile Group signed an agreement to jointly develop laser weapons for ships. In order to establish a joint venture, the two companies submitted an application to the German Federal Enterprise Joint Administration in December 2024 and have obtained permission. However, it is currently unclear how the company will organize and what products it will produce.

It is reported that the output power of the demonstration beam can reach 20kW at high beam density. The demonstrator consists of 12 fiber laser modules, each with a power of up to 2kW, which are converged into one beam through an optical system. This technology can increase power to 100kW without significant design changes.

In the testing period of 2022-2023, the system underwent over 100 test launches and destroyed unmanned aerial vehicles at close range and extremely close range. It has been proven effective against drones, drone swarms, speedboats, and potential guided missiles. In the future, the system can be upgraded to counter supersonic missiles, rockets, as well as artillery and mortar attacks.

Interestingly, the two companies have divided their respective responsibilities: European Missile Group Germany is responsible for target detection and tracking, as well as integrating laser systems into control systems and workstations. At the same time, Rheinmetall is responsible for developing laser systems, guidance systems, demonstration containers, and integrating the mechanical and electrical components of the system onto the Saxony frigate.

Source: OFweek