SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica company, launched 2 new lasers at this year's Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Exhibition which took place in Washington D.C. this past week (10-12 October 2011).

The Type 163 Ultra Lightweight Laser Designator (ULD) is the smallest lightweight NATO STANAG 3733-compatible laser designator product available on the market. It generates 80mJ from a lightweight, compact unit and will be used by ground-based forward air controllers to designate targets.

The Type 158 is a flexible, modular laser designed for integration into a range of small and medium-sized turret systems such as those on Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The Type 158 laser also provides a second wavelength, allowing it to provide active Burst Illumination Ladar (BIL) capability.

Currently, development models are being demonstrated to potential customers and production models will be available early next year.

Alastair Morrison, SELEX Galileo's Senior Vice President of Radar and Advanced Targeting said "SELEX Galileo's laser centre of excellence in Edinburgh has produced and supported over 5,500 lasers for over 25 countries - with integration completed on some 40 platforms across air, land and sea. These new lasers represent the latest results of our investment and will provide an important capability to troops on operations when they are made available next year."