Company / Counter-UAS
INLEAP Photonics
Hanover-based laser specialist developing the FASTLIGHT SHIELD laser effector for drone defence without ammunition.
Hannover, GermanyCounter-UAS systems
About the company
About INLEAP Photonics
INLEAP Photonics GmbH is a spin-off of Laser Zentrum Hannover. Its core technology, FASTLIGHT, steers laser beams without moving mirrors and is, according to the company, up to 2,500 times faster than galvo or polygon scanners. It is used both in industrial laser processing and in defence.
For counter-UAS, the company offers FASTLIGHT SHIELD, an autonomous system made up of a laser effector and a supply unit on a Euro-pallet footprint. It uses AI-based analysis to target weak points of drones within fractions of a second, at ranges of up to three kilometres, and is designed for swarm defence and integration with battle management software. Target users include military sites and mobile units, airports, critical infrastructure and major events.
In the news7 stories
Laser counter-drone system: Inleap Photonics starts series production of Fastlight Held in Hanover
Inleap Photonics is starting series production of its laser counter-drone system in Hanover. The first turnkey Fastlight Held units go to partner Stark, and the new hall will be officially opened on 30 October.
Counter-UAS laser: Inleap Photonics raises 20 million euros for series production
UVC Partners leads the seed round, joined by four further investors from Germany, Poland, Estonia and Denmark. Inleap Photonics plans to use the money to build its counter-UAS laser effectors in larger numbers and to expand in Europe.
Counter-drone laser from Germany: Austrian UGV Ziesel with Inleap Photonics for Ukraine
Hentschel System is mounting the counter-drone laser from Inleap Photonics on its UGV Ziesel, whose base comes from Hawe Mattro in Tyrol. How the technology works, what it is expected to cost and which questions its use in Ukraine must answer.
Counter-drone laser on a UGV: Inleap Photonics shows mobile Fastlight Shield in Erding
Laser effector from Inleap Photonics, vehicle from Hentschel System, software from Stark: the mobile counter-drone system premiered with the Bundeswehr in Erding – in step with a product review for mobile C-UAS systems from 2027.
Counter-UAS by laser: Bundeswehr trials Fastlight Shield from Inleap Photonics
Over six months, trials on Bundeswehr training areas are to show whether industrial laser beam steering works against single drones and entire swarms. For counter-UAS in the “Laserdome” project, the Cyber Innovation Hub is working with Inleap Photonics.
Laser counter-drone defence: Inleap Photonics and Stark enter a strategic partnership
At Hannover Messe 2026, the start-up Inleap Photonics and loitering munition manufacturer Stark announced their cooperation. Inleap Fastlight Shield is to be integrated into Stark’s unmanned systems; joint counter-drone solutions are planned in the long term.
Counter-UAS by laser: Inleap Photonics launches with Inleap Fastlight Shield
Light instead of ammunition: the new German company Inleap Photonics aims to neutralise drones in fractions of a second with Inleap Fastlight Shield. A funding round led by High-Tech Gründerfonds is set to speed up market entry and scaling of the counter-UAS system.