a multi - beam ladar apparatus and a method for use in a multi - beam ladar system are disclosed . the apparatus includes a plurality of mission specific optics ; a gimbal in which the mission specific optics are mounted ; an off - gimbal laser ; and a multi - fiber relay optically linking the laser output to the mission specific optics . the method includes gimbaling a plurality of mission specific optics ; generating a laser signal off the gimbal ; and optically relaying the laser signal to the mission specific optics through a plurality of discreet channels .