On March 27, in Bordeaux (France), MBDA and ALPhANOV inaugurated their Common Vulnerability Test Facility (VTF).
This new facility, in development since 2016, is designed to test the effects of lasers on materials. To do this, the site uses adjustable laser power sources from 1 to 10 kW and multiple measuring means (rapid, visible and infrared imaging, pyrometers, thermocouples, etc.) to monitor the effects produced by the lasers. This cooperation includes the completion of the VTF and its joint implementation for a period of 4 years.
The VTF has the ability to simulate many of the real-world conditions of a real-life laser explosion, including: the imperfections of aiming a dynamic beam, use against cross and spin targets, and the complex interactions between the laser. and target materials, among others. This will allow to define the requirements for all individual components of a laser weapon (laser source, aiming accuracy, beam focusing, etc.) and to optimize future laser system architectures against the various types of targets that they can involve (aircraft, missiles, drones, bullets, optical sensors, vehicles, warships, etc.).
MBDA CEO Antoine Bouvier said: "By adding to MBDA's unique technical capabilities in Europe, the VTF can contribute to the ongoing projects we are conducting for our German and British customers, as it will allow us to specify our future laser weapons in order to meet the exact needs of our customers. This testing facility represents a milestone in the path to complete mastery of laser weapons and strategic autonomy in this area. This is the goal of MBDA, as well as the goal of our national nations; now shared by the Europe through its permanent structured cooperation policy. "
