Laser counter-drone system: Inleap Photonics starts series production of Fastlight Held in Hanover

Inleap Photonics is commissioning a new production hall in Hanover to manufacture laser counter-drone systems. The systems, named Fastlight Held, are to be built and delivered in series from November 2026. To mark the start of production, partner Stark will receive the first units on a turnkey basis.

The official opening is scheduled for 30 October. Attendees are to include Olaf Lies, Minister-President of Lower Saxony, and Sven Weizenegger, who heads the Cyber Innovation Hub of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces).

Laser counter-drone system on an unmanned ground platform

Fastlight Held mounts a laser-based defence system on an unmanned, all-terrain ground platform. It is designed to detect, track and identify drones. The laser is then aimed at a weak point identified on the aircraft – with the aim of neutralising it within a few seconds.

According to the manufacturer, moving targets can also be tracked precisely, made possible by ultra-fast steering of the laser beam. The system is intended to protect mobile units, temporarily secured areas and critical infrastructure by remote operation.

With the new production facility, Inleap Photonics aims to move from prototype development to industrial series production. The production line consists of six stations organised according to the so-called one-piece-flow principle: each system passes through production individually and without intermediate storage. This is intended to shorten lead times and allow capacity to be expanded as demand rises.

According to the company, 50 employees currently work for it. By the end of 2027, the workforce at the Hanover site is set to grow to more than 100 people.

The company also points to “Laserdome”, an innovation project in which Inleap Photonics and the Cyber Innovation Hub of the Bundeswehr are jointly involved. At the civilian airfield of Strausberg near Berlin, it demonstrated how a drone in flight is defeated by laser.

Series production is intended to lay the foundation for delivering the technology in larger quantities. In its announcement, the company did not say how many systems will actually be produced or how capable the system is under operational conditions.