QinetiQ demonstrated Australia’s maiden scalable high-power laser optical chain prototype recently in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG).
A contract to co-develop a defensive laser-system prototype with a wide range of deployment options was awarded to the Hampshire-based defense firm in 2023.
Following the demonstration, QinetiQ said it is closer to charting pathways to develop sovereign directed energy systems to counter the threat of current and emerging uncrewed systems.
“This achievement is an Australian-first. 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,” QinetiQ’s chief executive Australian Sector Gary Stewart said.
“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.”
A full-scale prototype will be delivered during the next phase in the first-half of 2025.
To Leverage DragonFire Experience
The project seeks to combine QinetiQ’s coherent beam combining (CBC) technology with DSTG’s high-power amplifiers.
The CBC amounts to combining several high-power laser beams into a single beam, featuring both high power and preserved beam quality at range.
QinetiQ’s role in the development of the UK’s DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon helped it get noticed for the award, Australian Defence Magazine wrote.
“We were chosen because DSTG believed their technology & ours would come together to accelerate the development of sovereign capability for Australia,” QinetiQ Australia campaign director for advanced capabilities Russell Maddalena was quoted as saying by the outlet.
Collaboration
QinetiQ’s UK and Australian entities have collaborated on the project, with the systems integration work taking place in Adelaide, Australia.
The Australian laser project was likely to be conceived for trials at a lower technology readiness level than the 50 kilowatt-class DragonFire, starting with short-range firings and progressing to longer ranges, according to Australian Defence Magazine.
The DragonFire performed its first test in November 2022 and is scheduled to be fielded aboard warships in 2027, earlier than its original schedule of 2032, due to increased threats.
The DragonFire consortium comprises MBDA, Leonardo, QinetiQ, and the UK government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory.
