Laser designators are used to mark targets with a precise laser beam for guided munitions and fire control. They typically operate at 1064 nm using Nd:YAG gain media and require high-damage-threshold optics such as collimators, beam expanders, and protective windows to ensure beam quality and durability. Critical optical components include AR-coated lenses and mirrors for beam shaping and filters for safety and wavelength isolation.
Defense & Aerospace
Photonics is a cornerstone of modern defense systems, enabling the speed, precision, and reliability required for advanced laser applications. From precision targeting to advanced threat neutralization, light-based technologies deliver capabilities that were not achievable with conventional approaches. Defense platforms rely on photonic solutions for accuracy, responsiveness, and resilience in environments where milliseconds and micrometers matter.
Altechna is among the pioneers supplying high-performance optics and optomechanical assemblies for high-power laser weapon systems, supporting flagship defense programs and working with leading aerospace and defense primes across Europe, United States, and beyond. The company’s solutions are integrated into other advanced defense platforms, including fighter jets and helicopters, where optical performance is mission-critical.
Optics & Optomechanics
Engineered for mission-critical defense laser systems
Laser Designators
Laser Directed Energy Weapons (LDEWs)
LDEWs deliver high-energy laser beams to disable drones, missiles, or vehicles at long range. These systems often use fiber or slab lasers operating around 1 µm, demanding optics with extreme damage thresholds and thermal stability. Key components include adaptive optics, high-reflectivity mirrors, and protective windows designed to withstand continuous high-power operation.
Eye-Safe Laser Rangefinders
Eye-safe rangefinders provide accurate distance measurements while ensuring operator safety by operating at 1.5 µm using Er:Glass or Er:Yb:Glass lasers. They rely on precision optics such as collimators, focusing lenses, and Co:Spinel Q-switch crystals for generating short, high-peak-power pulses. Protective windows and low-absorption coatings are essential for maintaining performance in harsh environments.
Infrared Countermeasure Systems
Infrared countermeasure systems protect aircraft and vehicles by jamming or deceiving heat-seeking missiles with modulated IR laser beams. These systems typically use Tm:YAG or Ho:YAG lasers operating at 2 µm, requiring optics that combine thermal management and environmental robustness. Critical components include beam steering mirrors, IR-transparent windows and precision filters for spectral control.
criteria
Optical components critical
performance criteria
High Laser Damage Threshold
Essential for surviving high-power (up to 100 kW) laser pulses or continuous beams without failure, ensuring the system remains operational during intense missions
Environmental Robustness
Vital for maintaining optical performance under extreme conditions such as temperature fluctuations, humidity, abrasion, and salt-fog exposure common in defense environments.
Efficient Thermal Management
Prevents thermal distortion and component stress caused by absorbed energy, which is critical for maintaining beam quality and accuracy during prolonged operation.
Precision
Guarantees tight spectral and mechanical tolerances, enabling accurate targeting and reliable system calibration in high-stakes defense applications.
Solutions
Our solution tailored for defense application
High-power collimators
Compatible with industry standard fiber connecters
(QBH fiber input up to 15 kW)
Nitrogen
purge for high throughput
Adjustable
collimation
Robust
stainless-steel housing
Active
alignment lens design
Close to to diffraction limited design of
RMS wavefront <0.02λ on axis, reduced to <0.046λ over 2° full angle FOV, Strehl ratio 0.985 over full aperture
Coated (Nd/Ho):YAG crystals and ceramics
LIDT for AR/HR coated Nd:YAG crystals and ceramics
>50 J/cm² @1064 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, R-on-1
LIDT for AR coated Ho:YAG crystals
>25 J/cm² @2090 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz (undamaged under highest testing fluence)
Durability per
MIL-C-48497A and MIL-F-48616 (abrasion, adhesion, temperature, solubility and cleanability)
Surface quality (S-D) per MIL
10-5
AR coating performance
R<0.1%
HR coating performance
R>99.9%
Coated Er:Glass crystals
LIDT for AR coated Er:Glass crystals
98 J/cm² @1535 nm, 20 ns, 100 Hz, R-on-1
Durability per
MIL-C-48497A and MIL-F-48616 (abrasion, adhesion, temperature, solubility and cleanability)
Surface quality (S-D) per MIL
10-5
AR coating performance
R<0.1%
HR coating performance
R>99.9%
Coated Co:Spinel passive Q-Switch
Material
Co:MgAl2O4, Co2+ concentrations: (0.05-0.35) wt%
Anti-reflection coating performance
R<0.1% @1525-1545 nm AOI 0-5 deg.
Surface quality (S-D) per MIL
10-5
Durability per
MIL-C-48497A
MIL-F-48616
Coated component LIDT
>150.4 J/cm2 @1535 nm, 20 ns, R-on-1 (undamaged under highest possible measurement fluence)
High-power low absorbtion mirrors
Durability per
MIL-C-48497A (abrasion and adhesion)
MIL-F-48616 (temperature, solubility&cleanability)
MIL-STD-810G (salt-fog)
Coating performance
R>99,99%
LIDT
>30 MW/cm2 (>330 kW/cm) @1070 nm CW, Raster Scan (undamaged under max testing fluence)
>90 J/cm2 @1064 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1
>80 J/cm2 @1573 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1
>35 J/cm2 @2090 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1 (undamaged under max testing fluence)
Absorption
<3 ppm @1070 nm, PCI
Surface quality (S-D) per MIL
10-5
High-power low absorbtion dichroics and beamsplitters
Durability per
MIL-C-48497A (abrasion and adhesion)
MIL-F-48616 (temperature, solubility&cleanability)
MIL-STD-810G (salt-fog)
Coating performance
R>99,99%, R<0,1%, R±0,05%
LIDT
>30 MW/cm2 (>300 kW/cm) @1070 nm CW, Raster Scan (for HT@1070 nm zone)
>25 J/cm2 @ 1064 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1 (for HT@1064 nm zone)
>80 J/cm2 @ 1535 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1 (for 98.5% beam splitter)
>35 J/cm2 @ 2090 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1 (undamaged under max testing fluence)
Absorption (for HT@1070 nm zone)
<5 ppm @1070 nm, PCI
High-power low absorbtion lenses and windows
Durability per
MIL-C-48497A (abrasion and adhesion)
MIL-F-48616 (temperature, solubility & cleanability)
MIL-STD-810G (salt-fog)
AR coating performance
R<0.05%
LIDT
>40 MW/cm2 (>450 kW/cm) @1070 nm CW, Raster Scan (undamaged under max testing fluence)
>50 J/cm2 @ 1064 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1
>50 J/cm2 @ 1535 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1 (undamaged under max testing fluence)
>30 J/cm2 @ 2090 nm, 10 ns, 100 Hz, 1000-on-1 (undamaged under max testing fluence)
Absorption
<1 ppm @1070 nm, PCI
SQ per MIL
10-5
Steep-edge dichroics and filters
Notch filter
Blocking OD3.5 @870 nm, FWHM 40 nm
Pass-band: 900-1100 nm T>95-80%
Band-pass filter
Blocking OD3 @300-1200 nm
Band-pass T>93% @534 nm, FWHM 8 nm
Steep-edge dichroic
10 nm seperation HR@1030-1070 nm + HT@1080 AOI 10
The latest Defense & Aerospace news
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News December 23, 2025EU Commissioner Andrius Kubilius Visits Altechna EU to Discuss Europe’s Defense and Space Priorities
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News October 02, 2025Altechna Optics Used in ESA’s First Interplanetary Laser Communication Test to NASA’s Psyche Spacecraft
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News March 05, 2025Altechna Joins €25M TALOS-TWO Project to Develop Europe’s First 100 kW Laser Weapons
