The Department of Defence has awarded QinetiQ Australia a $12.9 million contract to partner in the co-development and production of a high-energy defensive laser system prototype in South Australia.

QinetiQ, renowned for its laser research and technology expertise, will collaborate with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to establish a high-energy laser manufacturing capability within Australia.

“We are incredibly proud of the long-standing and deep partnership between QinetiQ Australia and DSTG,” Simon Fredericks, Managing Director, Engineering Services, QinetiQ Australia said. “By leveraging QinetiQ’s high-power laser technology and test and evaluation expertise in collaboration with DSTG’s scientific innovation, we will deliver enhanced sovereign capability to the ADF.”

The high-energy laser manufacturing capability will enable the development and delivery of laser sources suitable for directed energy applications.

Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, said the collaboration demonstrated how DSTG facilitates the rapid transition of science and technology into Defence capability.

“DSTG is partnering with industry to build advanced and competitive Australian sovereign capabilities for our Defence Force in critical technology areas,” Professor Monro said.

“The high energy laser manufacturing capability is an example of how we can work with industry to support emerging and disruptive technologies.”

(Press Release)

Have you seen the Interpol document Framework for Responding to a Drone Incident? The document features extracts from the fundamentals of crime scene management and processing taken from the guides published by the National Institute of Justice.