SCHROBENHAUSEN, Germany, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- A high-energy laser in Germany reached 40 kilowatts of power and pierced 1.5-inch-thick steel plates in seconds during target tracking and firing tests.
MBDA Germany, developer of the laser, said the laser's power was achieved through beam coupling of fiber lasers.
"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.
"Laser weapons are characterized by precision at long ranges, minimum operating costs and the avoidance of collateral damage," he added.
MBDA Germany said that in the tests the lasers demonstrated precise and low-loss merging of the individual beams to destroy targets.
MBDA has been testing lasers since 2008 and last year was the first company in Europe to achieve a power of 10 kW with good laser beam quality.
Additional tests on the 40 kW laser will be conducted later this year and will include its use an entire combat process -- from detection to destruction of a flying target.
