ADF Tests Advanced Directed Energy Weapon System on Drones.
ADF news
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) recently conducted live fire testing of a directed energy weapons system against unmanned drones at the Puckapunyal Military Area in Victoria. The trials, held from May 27 to 31, showcased the Defence Counter-UAS Directed Energy Weapons System developed by AIM Defence, a high-power laser start-up.
In March 2024, AIM Defence secured a $4.9 million contract to produce a deployable directed energy system for the ADF, representing the first acquisition of such technology for ongoing counter-drone trials. The Fractl:2 DE system can burn through steel and accurately track and shoot down drones traveling at 100 km/h from over a kilometre away. Portable and battery-powered, it can neutralize over 50 drones per charge and operates continuously when plugged into a wall socket. The system offers near-zero usage costs as it uses light-based energy instead of ammunition.
The Fractl:2 system features an enhanced eye safety tactical laser, reducing the blinding risk common to typical one-micron systems. AIM Defence expects ADF operators to be equipped with the Fractl:2 by mid-2024. Dr. Daniel emphasized the company’s commitment to safety and operational efficiency, highlighting over 200 successful drone defeats during testing. The Fractl:2 variant is designed to be orders of magnitude safer and more deployable than other high-power laser systems.
