It aims to develop Europe's first fully sovereign 100 kW-class laser-directed energy weapons by 2030. Directed energy weapons use energy fired at the speed of light. 10 kW of power is roughly equivalent to an electric car, while 100 kW of power could power 10 households. 100 kW-class lasers could become an alternative for air, ground, and sea platforms with higher targeting and precision for military and defence applications.
The European Defence Collaboration
This endeavor brings together 21 partners from 8 countries, including major defence contractors such as CILAS (France), Leonardo (Italy), and Rheinmetall (Germany), as well as 7 research organizations, 5 small and medium enterprises, and 1 middle capitalisation company.
Strengthening Europe's Defence: A Unified Approach
"Ongoing conflicts at Europe's borders and increasing security challenges made Europe understand that no single country can stand alone in ensuring its defence. Therefore, the continent has taken a decisive step to strengthen its security as a united front and move away from fragmented national efforts. TALOS-TWO is proof of that," said Antanas Laurutis, CEO of Altechna. “By developing sovereign laser-directed energy weapons, we adopt cutting-edge military technology and reinforce Europe's ability to deter external threats as a cohesive force.”
Advancing Laser-Directed Energy Weapons: The TALOS Project
The original TALOS project (2019-2023) laid the groundwork for European laser-directed energy weapons. It demonstrated their effectiveness and evaluated critical technologies for their development at this stage. However, TALOS-TWO takes this foundation and shifts from theoretical research to real-world implementation. At this new phase, laser power output is significantly increased. Likewise, beam combination methods have been refined, and it will be ensured that these systems can be deployed in military settings.
Laser Technology: 1 µm and 2 µm Wavelengths
Unlike TALOS, which focused on concept validation, TALOS-TWO is building physical demonstrators, including two high-power 1 µm combined laser sources and simulated 2 µm laser combinations.
“In lasers, wavelength is measured in micrometers (µm), which determines performance and application. A 1 µm laser is ideal for precision targeting and material processing, while 2 µm offers advantages in atmospheric penetration and eye-safe applications. By developing both, TALOS-TWO is improving directed energy capabilities for defence by enhancing range, efficiency, and adaptability in real-world scenarios,” explained Deividas Buinovskis, CTO of Altechna.
Enhancing Targeting Precision and Laser Impact Studies
The second phase also introduces dynamic 3D visualisation of danger zones around targets to improve targeting precision and studies that analyse laser impact on real targets to fine-tune effectiveness. TALOS-TWO additionally establishes a European supply chain for high-energy laser sources, which should reduce dependence on external suppliers and strengthen Europe’s defence autonomy.
Strategic Goals and Timeline: Achieving Real-World Deployment by 2030
In general, three main areas have been outlined for the project: improvements in military and defence capabilities, strengthening Europe’s technological and industrial base and developing a long-term strategic roadmap and integration. The ultimate goal is to develop high-power laser weapons ready for real-world deployment by 2030, reaching Technology Readiness Level 8, which represents innovations that are fully tested and demonstrated in operational environments.
Conclusion: Altechna's Contribution to Europe’s Security
"Strengthening Europe’s defence with advanced laser technologies will not only improve collective security, it will also ensure that regions like Central and Eastern Europe have the tools to counter modern threats. Many countries in this region still rely on outdated defence systems," explained Deividas Buinovskis. “By working with partners like the Czech Republic, we’re both upgrading regional security and creating innovation hubs that cultivate technological progress where it’s needed most.”
According to the project, integrating these systems into national defence programs will ensure faster adoption of the technology and improve European military forces' national defence capabilities.
Altechna, a new addition to the TALOS project, will bring the fundamental optics expertise required for the development of high-energy laser systems.
