Australia is a step closer to a home-grown laser weapon after a successful test in South Australia.
In a national first, the Adelaide laboratories of QinetiQ successfully demonstrated a prototype of a scaleable high-power laser optical chain.
QinetiQ Chief Executive Australian Sector Gary Stewart said the test, held in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), meant the team were closer to understanding pathways for sovereign Directed Energy Defensive Systems to counter current and emerging threats posed by uncrewed aircraft, such as drones.
“This achievement is an Australian first,” Mr Stewart said.
“Our aim is to accelerate the development of sovereign High Energy Laser technology so it can be offered to the Australian Defence Force, enhancing their ability to manage current and emerging threats.
“Once matured, Directed Energy Defensive Systems will provide a lower-cost way to counter the threats posed by uncrewed aircraft compared to existing methods currently used within defence.”
Mr Stewart said QinetiQ was now focussed on delivering the next phase of the project, a full-scale prototype of the technology, before July this year.
He said the strategic partnership with DSTG enabled the company to leverage the knowledge and expertise of both organisations to further develop sovereign capabilities within the directed energy field.
“The fusion of high-power laser amplifiers, designed by DSTG and built by QinetiQ, with QinetiQ’s beam combination technology has accelerated the development of sovereign capabilities and skills.”
