EOS demonstrates first of a kind counter-drone capability

Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has demonstrated its Australian-made Directed Energy (DE) and kinetic counter-drone capabilities in a field environment, in front of an international audience of potential export customers from Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South East Asia.

This demonstration was a watershed moment for EOS and for DE technology in Australia, as well as being the first of its kind in Australia. EOS successfully engaged moving drones from a moving vehicle with the company’s ‘Slinger’ kinetic weapon system. The testing involved destroying drones with machine guns out to 500 metres and lasers beyond 1,000 metres, with a very high level of accuracy.

Importantly, says the company, these capabilities are being designed and manufactured in Australia, by Australians, using an extensive Australian supply chain.

Executive Vice President of EOS Defence Systems, Matt Jones, said, “I am enormously proud of the achievements of the team at EOS, with testing exceeding expectations on all counter-drone systems.

“Drones are a threat in military and civilian environments right now,” he added. “Counter-drone capabilities, like those developed by EOS, are becoming increasingly essential, and will save the lives of our allies, or perhaps our own Defence Force personnel in the future.”

These EOS counter-drone systems are evidence of genuinely sovereign capabilities meeting the needs of government and Defence, including countering contemporary and emerging threats, such as those in Ukraine.

Mr Jones said “EOS’ directed energy capability has significant export potential, adding to Australia’s strategic weight and the reputation of Australian defence industry”

The DE capability also demonstrates EOS’s capabilities in an area of priority for the Defence Advanced Strategic Capability Accelerator (ASCA), and the focus of AUKUS Pillar II on electronic warfare.

Initially designed for export, these cutting-edge capabilities have generated interest from potential customers in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and South-east Asia.