QinetiQ demonstrates Australian-first high-energy laser

QinetiQ Australia has successfully demonstrated a prototype of its scaleable high power laser optical chain at QinetiQ Laboratories (QLabs) in Adelaide, in collaboration with Defence’s Science and Technology Group (DSTG). 

Following the successful demonstration, QinetiQ and DSTG are closer to understanding pathways for sovereign Directed Energy Defensive Systems to counter current and emerging threats posed by uncrewed aircraft, such as drones, says the company. Directed Energy systems are one of Defence’s six key technology priorities

 “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,” said Gary Stewart, Chief Executive of QinetiQ’s Australian Sector.

“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.”   

QinetiQ is now focussed on delivering the next phase of the project, a full-scale prototype of the technology, in the first half of 2025, the company says.

QinetiQ’s strategic partnership with DSTG enables it to leverage the knowledge and expertise of both organisations to further develop sovereign capabilities within the directed energy field, while also utilising the expertise from QinetiQ in the United Kingdom, a member of the DragonFire consortium on behalf of the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence, QinetiQ adds.

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. The strategic partnership between QinetiQ and DSTG is a prime example of how DSTG is mobilising the Defence IS&T ecosystem to rapidly translate technologies into capability for the Australian Defence Force, says QinetiQ.