A linearly pumped methyl fluoride laser oscillator‐amplifier is described which yields a peak power of 30 kW in a linewidth <60 MHz. Linear pumping results in nearly complete saturation of the FIR transition and consequently in relatively high photon conversion efficiency, which in the present case is 70% of its maximum theoretical value at operating pressures of 2–3 Torr. The present result indicates that MW‐level peak power, such as required for plasma‐ion scattering experiments, may be achieved using less than 140 MW of CO2laser pumping power (<14 J in 100 nsec) in an amplifier less than 2 m long.