Rheinmetall Tests High-Energy Laser Effector Onboard German Warship

Rheinmetall and the German Bundewehr have successfully tested a high-energy laser effector installed on a German warship operating on the high seas.

To carry out the test, Rheinmetall mounted a 10-kilowatt high-energy laser (HEL) effector on a MLG 27 light naval gun.

The test programme included tracking of potential targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and very small surface craft. Furthermore, the HEL effector was also tested against stationary targets on land.

Besides the successful mounting of a 10-kW HEL effector on an MLG 27, the test programme demonstrated for the first time the effectiveness of Rheinmetall HEL effector technology in maritime operations. The test programme revealed insights important for the development of future HEL naval effectors.