We describe in detail the design and performance of a multikilowatt Pockels cell for use in high average power laser systems. The Pockels cell is a gas‐cooled, transversely excited electro‐optic switch based on KD*P as the electro‐optic material. Matched pairs of crystals with different crystallographic orientations are used to make the switch performance insensitive to the operating point and ambient temperature. Excellent switching performance and low‐wave‐front distortion have been achieved at average power levels in excess of 1 kW.