Start-up demonstrates new laser weapon to combat drones
Newly founded company Ground A has developed a mobile laser weapon to counter drones. Series production is due to begin next year.
Berlin/Düsseldorf (dpa) – German company Ground A is developing a mobile laser weapon designed to provide reliable protection against drones. The company plans to begin series production of its GA 1000 defence system next year, said founder and CEO Tobias Brune, who demonstrated the system in Berlin.
“In practice, we need about one second of laser exposure per drone,” Brune said, explaining that technically speaking it took around three seconds to identify a drone, lock onto it and begin firing. The decision to deploy the weapon remains in human hands, something that is considered particularly important in terms of potential rules of engagement in Germany.
Ground A was founded in January and is headquartered in Düsseldorf, with a branch in Berlin. According to the company, it raised nine million euros from investors in June.
Following a series of acts of sabotage targeting companies and key facilities, the Federal Government is discussing new powers to counter drones and further protective measures, in consultation with the federal states.
