Germany Taps MBDA for Airborne Laser Weapon Demo by 2031

Demonstrator for airborne use planned Germany Taps MBDA to Develop Aircraft Laser Weapon

2026-11-03 From Detlev Karg 1 min Reading Time

The Bundeswehr has awarded MBDA Deutschland a contract to develop an airborne high-energy laser demonstrator. The project aims to establish the technological foundations for future laser weapons.

Artist's impression of future combat aircraft equipped with airborne laser weapons. MBDA Deutschland has been commissioned by the Bundeswehr to develop a high-energy laser demonstrator, with flight trials planned for 2031.(Source: MBDA Deutschland GMBH) — Artist's impression of future combat aircraft equipped with airborne laser weapons. MBDA Deutschland has been commissioned by the Bundeswehr to develop a high-energy laser demonstrator, with flight trials planned for 2031.
(Source: MBDA Deutschland GMBH)

According to several media reports, Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has commissioned MBDA Deutschland to develop a laser weapon demonstrator for future airborne applications. The project centres on a laser pod whose essential components will be designed to withstand the demanding conditions of flight. The objective is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of integrating high-energy laser weapons into military aircraft. They could offer a cost-effective means of countering drones and other airborne threats, although their effectiveness depends on factors including atmospheric conditions and available electrical power.

Flight tests planned fpr 2031

According to MBDA Germany CEO Thomas Gottschild, the project originated from the FCAS programme and is strategically important for the company, he told Welt. Flight trials are planned for 2031, with operational deployment potentially following in the early to mid-2030s. The weapon is designed to be free of US components, and thus ITAR-free. It is envisaged as an aircraft-mounted pod, potentially comparable in size to a Taurus cruise missile, with laser output of up to 10 kW.

Major technical challenges to be solved

No aircraft type has yet been selected publicly, and neither the contract value nor the laser's power output has been officially disclosed. MBDA is placing particular emphasis on German suppliers and domestic technological expertise. The programme forms part of Germany's efforts to maintain sovereign capabilities in strategically important defence technologies. The company is already working with Rheinmetall on a separate high-energy laser system for the German Navy. The airborne demonstrator represents a further step towards extending directed-energy technology beyond ground-based and naval applications. However, the current contract adresses technology development rather than the procurement of an operational weapon system.

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