BAE Systems Opens Laser Centre of Excellence in UK

The Laser Centre of Excellence has been opened in Edinburgh by BAE Systems Avionics Group of Basildon, also in the UK. The 4000-sq-ft facility will produce lasers for the F-35 joint strike fighter electro-optical targeting system under a contract awarded by Lockheed Martin to BAE in September 2003. The devices will provide the system with precision range measurement and a laser-guided weapon designation capacity.

The £65 million center houses flexible manufacturing space certified to ISO Class 8, and to ISO Class 5 using BAE Systems laminar flow optical workstations. It accommodates 21 laser firing rooms designed for high-power Class 4 lasers, and offers individual environmental controls.