Login
iscover
Canberra-based defence company Electro Optic Systems has secured a $9 million contract with the Australian Defence Force Joint Capabilities Division to further develop space capabilities.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Electro Optic Systems’ (EOS) Space Technologies business gained the $9 million contract in addition to a $5 million contract that was announced on 15 April 2024, for delivery in 2024.
The project is a significant strategic opportunity for EOS and is consistent with EOS’ stated strategy of securing third-party funding for new capability development work in Space Technologies, according to the company.
The project is expected to be delivered in 2H 2024 and 2025.
Earlier this year, EOS announced that they have taken part in the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program’s 2024 Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (CUAS) Sandbox event in Canada.
At the event, counter-drone prototypes were put to the test in realistic scenarios, with EOS demonstrating its laser dazzler technology.
Led by Ian Hilton-Cowie, EOS Projects engineering lead, and the EOS Defence Systems’ Titanis Team, the demonstration highlighted the potential of the laser dazzler as part of their counter-drone solutions.
The laser dazzler, integrated into the company’s Slinger counter-drone system, successfully showcased its ability to degrade, deny, and destroy the electro-optical sensors on typical UAS, using a non-lethal, zero-collateral laser.
“EOS has established itself as the pioneer in laser dazzling technology, being the first to successfully integrate it into remote weapon systems,” said Andreas Schwer, Group CEO of Electro Optic Systems.
“Through the success of our Slinger system, we have proven our ability to deliver accurate counter-drone technologies. The laser dazzler builds on this experience, using our world-leading technology to extend options for non-lethal payloads.”
The laser dazzler enhances the remote weapon system (RWS) with optic-dazzling, disabling, and disengaging capabilities, offering a formidable solution to counter uncrewed threats. It can be integrated with an RWS as almost a drop-in replacement for the 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. This allows operators the flexibility to use either lethal kinetic or non-lethal scalable kinetic electronic warfare (SKEW) measures against aerial threat.
The dazzle effects from CUAS begin at the effective range of its camera. Laser light, being a single wavelength and coherent, travels far in a vacuum but disperses over distance in the atmosphere. The laser dazzler features bespoke beam-forming and optics engineered to achieve the necessary power density at operational ranges, tailored to specific tactical requirements.
For Group 1 UAVs, which rely heavily on the global positioning system (GPS) and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) along with inertial navigation systems (INS) for navigation and payload delivery, maintaining sensor integrity is crucial. The laser dazzler’s capability to mitigate sensor damage from light exposure ensures sustained operational accuracy.
Designed and developed in Australia specifically for export markets, the laser dazzler addresses current and emerging threats from uncrewed systems, drawing on lessons from recent conflicts, such as in Ukraine.
“EOS is committed to the continuous development of defence technology, equipping allied forces with systems that are not just lethal but also adaptable,” Schwer said.
“Our ongoing innovations and partnerships keep pushing the boundaries of what is possible in defence technology.”
