QinetiQ, in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), has successfully demonstrated Australia’s first scalable high-power laser optical chain prototype. This milestone represents a significant step toward the development of sovereign directed energy systems aimed at countering the evolving threats posed by uncrewed systems.
In 2023, the Hampshire-based defense company was awarded a contract to co-develop a defensive laser system prototype with versatile deployment capabilities. The recent demonstration has brought QinetiQ closer to establishing pathways for the advancement of directed energy technologies within Australia‘s defense sector.
Gary Stewart, Chief Executive of QinetiQ’s Australian Sector, emphasized the significance of this achievement, highlighting its potential impact on national defense. “This accomplishment marks a first for Australia. Our objective is to accelerate the development of sovereign high-energy laser technology to enhance the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) capability to manage both current and emerging threats,” he stated.
Directed energy defensive systems, once fully developed, are expected to provide a more cost-effective solution for countering threats from uncrewed aircraft compared to existing defense methods. The next phase of the project will involve the delivery of a full-scale prototype, scheduled for completion in the first half of 2025.
Leveraging expertise from the DragonFire Project
The initiative integrates QinetiQ’s coherent beam combining (CBC) technology with DSTG’s advanced high-power amplifiers. CBC technology involves merging multiple high-power laser beams into a single, more powerful beam while maintaining superior beam quality over long distances.
QinetiQ’s experience developing the UK’s DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon played a crucial role in securing the Australian contract. According to Australian Defence Magazine, the company’s involvement in DragonFire demonstrated its expertise in directed energy technology, making it a strong contender for collaboration with DSTG.
Russell Maddalena, QinetiQ Australia’s Campaign Director for Advanced Capabilities, explained the rationale behind the partnership. “DSTG identified that the integration of their technology with ours would accelerate the development of a sovereign directed energy capability for Australia,” he noted.
International Collaboration and Development
QinetiQ’s UK and Australian teams have worked jointly on this initiative, with systems integration efforts taking place in Adelaide, Australia. The project is expected to follow a phased approach, beginning with trials at a lower technology readiness level before progressing to more advanced testing.
Unlike the UK’s DragonFire system, which is a 50-kilowatt-class laser weapon, the Australian prototype will initially be tested at shorter ranges before advancing to more extensive operational evaluations. The DragonFire system, which conducted its first test in November 2022, is now set to be deployed aboard warships by 2027, five years ahead of its original schedule, due to increasing security concerns.
The DragonFire program is a collaborative effort involving MBDA, Leonardo, QinetiQ, and the UK government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. Drawing from this experience, QinetiQ aims to establish a robust and sovereign high-energy laser capability for Australia, reinforcing the nation’s defense strategies against modern threats.
This development represents a crucial milestone in Australia’s pursuit of advanced defense technologies. As the project progresses, the integration of high-energy laser systems into the ADF’s arsenal could redefine strategic defense capabilities, offering an innovative and cost-effective solution to counter contemporary security challenges.
