QinetiQ Unveils Australia’s First Laser-Based Defense System Prototype

QinetiQ has successfully demonstrated Australia’s first scalable high-power laser optical chain prototype, marking a significant milestone in the country’s defense technology advancements. This achievement, developed in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), brings Australia closer to deploying sovereign directed energy systems capable of countering both current and emerging threats posed by uncrewed systems.

Under a 2023 contract, QinetiQ was tasked with co-developing a defensive laser system prototype that offers flexible deployment options. The recent demonstration has validated key technologies, paving the way for a full-scale prototype expected in the first half of 2025.

Advanced Laser Technology with DragonFire Expertise

The new system utilizes QinetiQ’s coherent beam combining (CBC) technology, which merges multiple high-power laser beams into a single, highly focused beam. This process enhances power while maintaining beam quality, ensuring high effectiveness at extended ranges. The company’s expertise in developing the UK’s DragonFire laser-directed energy weapon played a crucial role in securing the Australian project.

QinetiQ’s Australian campaign director for advanced capabilities, Russell Maddalena, emphasized that the DSTG saw great potential in combining its high-power amplifiers with QinetiQ’s laser technology, accelerating the development of an Australian sovereign capability.

Specifications and Future Development

• Laser Type: High-energy directed energy weapon
• Beam Technology: Coherent Beam Combining (CBC)
• Power Class: Expected to be lower than the 50-kilowatt DragonFire system initially, with potential for scaling
• Deployment Options: Designed for multi-domain use, including counter-drone operations
• Development Timeline: Full-scale prototype by mid-2025
• Testing Progression: Begins with short-range trials before expanding to longer-range engagements

The DragonFire system, which serves as a benchmark for this project, successfully completed its first test in November 2022 and is expected to be operational on UK warships by 2027—earlier than initially planned due to evolving threats. The Australian prototype will likely follow a similar development path, starting with short-range tests before advancing to higher power levels and broader applications.

Strengthening Sovereign Defense Capabilities

QinetiQ’s UK and Australian teams have closely collaborated on this project, with integration work conducted in Adelaide, Australia. The successful demonstration highlights the growing importance of directed energy weapons (DEWs) as cost-effective countermeasures against threats like uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).

With the first phase completed, Australia is now on track to develop its own high-energy laser defense systems, reinforcing national security and expanding its technological capabilities in modern warfare.