Rheinmetall and the German Bundeswehr have successfully tested a high-energy laser effector installed on a German warship operating on the high seas.
For the test Rheinmetall mounted a 10-kilowatt high-energy laser (HEL) effector on a MLG 27 light naval gun mounted on the ship. The tests included tracking of potential targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and very small surface craft. While these engagements were passive and laser was not fired at sea, the HEL effector was tested separately, against stationary targets on land. Demonstrating the feasibility of integration of Rheinmetall’s HEL effector on MLG27 in maritime operations, the test program provided significant insights for future development of marine HEL systems.
