SOLUTIONS / LASER COUNTER-DRONE
Laser counter-drone defence
Directed energy as an additional layer against small drones.
Fergus Engineering · High-energy laser (HEL)
System profile
Belgium-based Fergus Engineering develops compact laser effectors to counter small drones. The LARX effector combines AI-assisted target tracking with fast, precise beam control. It dazzles a drone's camera sensors or disables critical components such as propulsion and control.
LARX is designed for integration into existing counter-drone systems – at fixed sites or on vehicles.
EFFECTS
Dazzle or
defeat.
Dazzle (soft kill)
The laser overexposes the drone's camera sensors – temporarily or permanently. Effective up to 1 km according to the manufacturer.
Image: Fergus Engineering
Hard kill
Targeted exposure damages critical components such as sensors, propulsion or control. Effective up to 500 m according to the manufacturer.
Image: Fergus Engineering
SEQUENCE
Cue. Track.
Engage.
Detect and cue
The existing detection system identifies the drone and cues the effector to the target.
Track and engage
The effector tracks the target with AI assistance and holds the beam on it for as long as needed.
Assess and continue
The effect is confirmed and the next target can follow immediately – even when several drones approach at once.
At a glance
| Manufacturer | Fergus Engineering, Viersel (Belgium) |
|---|---|
| System | LARX high-energy laser (HEL) effector |
| Targets | Class 1 drones |
| Effects | Sensor dazzle (soft kill) up to 1 km; damage to critical components (hard kill) up to 500 m |
| Laser power | 3 kW (LARX); platform scalable up to 10 kW |
| Targeting | Coaxial, laser and camera synchronised; autonomous AI-assisted tracking |
| Optical head | 18 kg · 52 × 33 × 22 cm |
| Power draw | Below 9 kW |
| Mounting | Remote weapon stations, unmanned ground vehicles, pick-ups, tripods and fixed sites |
| Integration | Into existing counter-drone systems without replacing detection, tracking or command |
| Status | In development and testing |
An additional layer of drone defence
Small drones are inexpensive, hard to detect and can be launched in large numbers. Guns, interceptor drones and electronic countermeasures remain important, but they do not always suit many small targets or operations close to civilian infrastructure. A high-energy laser complements these means: it runs on electrical power, needs no ammunition and remains effective for as long as power and cooling are available. The effect depends on range, weather, target type and dwell time.
Built for integration
LARX complements existing counter-drone systems without replacing detection, tracking or command structures. Its interfaces are designed for integration and are adapted to the integrator's requirements. The modular design, built from industrial-grade components, scales from protecting fixed sites to mobile operations on vehicles.
Applications
Military bases, airfields and naval sites · Force protection · Critical infrastructure and energy supply · Ports, airports and logistics hubs · Government and border sites
Your contact in Germany
Forcified is your contact for Fergus Engineering in Germany. We clarify requirements with integrators, operators and authorities, put you in direct contact with the developers and support technical integration into existing systems. Our own lab is available for adaptations and test set-ups.
Regulatory framework
Supplying, testing and operating high-energy lasers is subject to rules on export control, laser safety and airspace use. We coordinate these points with Fergus Engineering and the competent authorities for each project. Our principles are set out under CSR & Compliance.
Manufacturer website: Fergus Engineering
Request a brochure or technical discussion
We are happy to provide the Fergus Engineering brochure and arrange a technical discussion with the developers. Availability and conditions are agreed for each project. Tell us briefly about the site or platform to be protected, existing detection and your timeframe.