MBDA Germany recently said it has achieved a power of 40 kW using its high-energy laser demonstrator during a laser firing campaign.
The laser power generated by patented beam coupling of fiber lasers was successfully demonstrated for the first time in the world. In the target tracking and firing tests, MBDA Germany demonstrated performance features such as the burning of mortar shells in just a few seconds.
The 40 kW laser also penetrated 40mm thick steel plates in a few seconds. Also, target tracking runs that were demonstrated in previous trials were also successfully repeated. The tests demonstrated the good laser beam quality and the precise and low-loss merging of the individual beams. This is the only way to ensure that targets are neutralized rapidly and reliably.
“High-power laser weapons can soon provide an answer to conventional and asymmetric threats in military missions,” said Peter Heilmeier, head of Market and Business Development MBDA Germany. “They can contribute greatly to protecting our troops. Laser weapons are characterized by precision at long ranges, minimum operating costs and the avoidance of collateral damage.”
In September and October 2012 more tests will be conducted–for the first time incorporating the entire process from detection of a flying target to neutralization.
This fall as well, the U.S. Army and Boeing [BA] plan to test a 10-kilowatt high-energy laser, part of its mobile demonstrator (HEL MD), against a variety of targets at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The Army HEL MD is a basic research system.
MBDA Germany is building on a series of successful tests begun in 2008. In 2011, MBDA Germany was the first company in Europe to achieve a power of 10 kW with a good laser beam quality. The tracking of dynamic objects and the effects on the object were demonstrated over a distance of more than 2,300 m and an altitude difference of 1,000 m in real environmental conditions.
Germany is developing the laser demonstrator with its own funds and in part, with research and technology resources of the German Federal Office of Defense Technology and Procurement.
BAE Systems, EADS and Finmeccanica are joint holders of MBDA.