System Development & Testing

MZA’s system engineering team delivers full-lifecycle capabilities—spanning initial optical design, ruggedized hardware prototyping, and extensive field evaluation.

Laser Beam Control & Stabilization

When you are working with High Energy Lasers (HEL), even a microscopic vibration can throw a beam completely off target miles away. We design advanced beam control and line-of-sight (LOS) stabilization systems that act like an ultra-precise steady-cam for high-power light. By instantly neutralizing mechanical jitters and platform movements, we keep the beam locked perfectly in place.

Precision Targeting (ATP)

An optical system needs to be incredibly sharp to find and follow a fast-moving target. Our Acquisition, Tracking, and Pointing (ATP) systems handle the entire sequence seamlessly. We build the smart tech that spots a target, locks onto it, and steers the laser beam with absolute precision, maintaining a flawless connection even through complex maneuvers.

Laboratory & Field Testing

Our team manages rigorous laboratory, field, and flight test and experimentation programs to see how our systems hold up in the real world. From controlled cleanrooms to harsh outdoor environments, we push our hardware to its limits so our partners can deploy it with total confidence.

Aero-Effects

When high-speed aircraft or projectiles move through the air, they create violent shockwaves and boundary layers right in front of the optical window, a phenomenon known as aero-effects. We specialize in aero-effects characterization and mitigation—studying how these fast-moving air patterns bend light, and engineering smart software and hardware solutions to clean up the beam and slice right through the chaos.

Precision Metal and Optical Fabrication

As a specialized manufacturing division of MZA, McCarter Machine provides the high-precision engineering and fabrication backbone needed to bring complex optical and directed energy systems to life. McCarter specializes in ultra-high-tolerance machining, custom mechanical fabrication, and industry-leading manufacturing of Single Crystal Silicon (SCSi) optics and lightweight structural assemblies built to perform in extreme thermal and high-stress operational environments.

By unifying McCarter’s advanced hardware production directly with MZA’s beam control, adaptive optics, and system modeling teams, we streamline the entire lifecycle from initial prototype to deployment. This integrated capability allows us to rapidly design, machine, and test custom flight-ready hardware—delivering end-to-end, field-proven solutions with maximum quality control and reduced development timelines.For more information, visit the McCarter website .