A report is given of the construction of a high-power (P approximately equals 1 kW) multibeam cw CO//2 laser, with diffusive cooling of the gas mixture and excited by a 10 kHz ac discharge. The design of the laser is described and experimental measurements of its basic characteristics presented. These include measurements of the laser divergence and a study of the influence of the pressure, composition, and circulation velocity of the gas mixture on the laser output power. The experimental data obtained and a comparison of the parameters with those of other known lasers are used to discuss its advantages and prospects for use in technological applications are discussed.