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QinetiQ opens QinetiQ Laboratories
UK-based research firm QinetiQ has officially opened QinetiQ Laboratories in Mawson Lakes, South Australia. The facility, known as QLabs, will help enable the rapid development of software and prototypes that support the Australian Defence Force.
QLabs includes a Software Development Environment and an adaptable laboratory establishment.
“The establishment of QLabs marks a significant milestone in our efforts to grow Australia’s sovereign industrial ecosystem,” said the Chief Executive of QinetiQ’s Australia Sector, Gary Stewart.
“It expands our niche software development and machine learning capabilities, and we look forward to furthering collaborations and innovation to safeguard Australia’s national security.”
The facility will support a number of QinetiQ programs including the company’s work with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) on creating a high-powered Directed Energy Weapon capability.
QLabs is designed to enable the development of contemporary software engineering and rapid prototyping capabilities to support the integrated joint force outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy (NDS) and the 2024 Integrated Investment Program (IIP).
With an on-premise Software Development Environment and an adaptable laboratory lay-out, QLabs supports the rapid development and testing of both leading-edge and legacy technologies.
The new facility will support several key programs including the Directed Energy Program in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Group. This partnership aims to support the establishment and commercialisation of a High Energy Laser capability in Australia, leveraging the expertise from QinetiQ’s parent company, a member of the DragonFire consortium on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence.
The contract was announced in April 2023 and will result in the completion of a technology demonstrator at the end of the first quarter of 2025.
QLabs also provides expertise and support into many other defence capabilities including:
- Contracted support into System Program Offices within Capability, Acquisition and Sustainment Group.
- Research and Development and Program Management expertise to Defence Science and Technology Group, Edinburgh.
- Trials management and support to the Joint Proof Experimental Unit at Port Wakefield.
- Developing Digital Test and Evaluation applications for the Australian Defence Force.
QinetiQ’s Australian Sector is a global leader for threat representation solutions, the company says, supporting ADF and allied training and readiness as well as delivering critical capability in test and evaluation, engineering, manufacturing and program delivery.