Cloncurry, Queensland : Australia’s locally developed RAZER Low-Cost Precision Guided Munition (LCPGM) has successfully scored direct strikes on multiple targets during flight trials, marking a major milestone in its development and confirming its operational effectiveness. The tests also officially granted flight certification to the system, just three years after its debut at the Avalon Airshow in 2023.
A New Era in Precision Firepower
Led by Program Manager – Future Weapons, Leon MacLaren, the recent trials demonstrated that RAZER can extend the range and accuracy of standard munitions such as a 155mm artillery shell, mortars, or 5-inch naval rounds by converting them into guided glide weapons.
The system uses a wing kit, body assembly, tail control unit, and GPS/INS flight guidance system, combined with a newly introduced mission planning tool. This allows operators to prepare RAZER for launch in just 20 minutes—simply by loading the payload, inputting target coordinates, and releasing it from an aircraft.
Performance and Payload Flexibility
Two air-launched variants were tested in Queensland, both achieving direct hits. RAZER has been proven to handle payloads between 7 kg and 43 kg, giving it wide mission flexibility.
“RAZER has shown it can accept payloads from mortars, 155mm shells, or even a customer-specific warhead and fuze,” MacLaren explained. “The system is accurate, fast to deploy, and offers great flexibility for defence forces.”
Sovereign Capability for Australia
The program is part of Australia’s broader effort to grow a sovereign supply chain for guided weapons under the Commonwealth’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) initiative. By producing the munition domestically, BAE Systems ensures that Australia can maintain supply independence while reducing costs.
“The goal from the beginning was to make RAZER cost-effective, flexible, and scalable,” MacLaren said. “We’ve proven it can hit targets with great accuracy, and now it can be produced faster, cheaper, and more reliably.”
Global Interest and Future Growth
International defence customers have already expressed strong interest in RAZER, particularly because it fills a capability gap between expensive long-range missiles and unguided bombs.
Looking ahead, BAE Systems is considering several enhancements:
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Seeker technology to hit moving targets
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Rocket-assisted launch for ground-based firing with extended range
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Electronic warfare payloads to disrupt enemy systems
This potential for growth makes RAZER one of the most versatile and affordable precision-guided munitions currently under development.
At a Glance: RAZER
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Debut: Avalon Airshow, 2023
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Certification: Achieved after August 2025 trials in Queensland
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Payload capacity: 7–43 kg
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Platforms: UAVs, helicopters, light aircraft (with land-launch under study)
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Deployment time: Launch-ready in ~20 minutes
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Future options: Moving-target seeker, rocket assist, EW payloads
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Strategic value: Strengthens Australia’s sovereign guided-weapons production
With its successful Queensland trials, RAZER has proven it is not just a concept but a capable, battle-ready precision strike option. It is now positioned to play a critical role in both Australia’s defence strategy and the global precision-guided weapons market.
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