EOS Defence Systems (EOS) continued its live fire testing this week, putting its T2000 turret through its paces at a private range in central NSW.
The firing of the T2000 brought together EOS’ Australian supply chain partners for ammunition, target systems and instrumentation the Lightforce Group Klondyke Range Complex in what the company called an 'Australian first.'
“We believe our recent firing of the 30x173 mm Mk44S cannon is the first time a private company has fired a weapon of this calibre on a private range in Australia," Grant Sanderson, CEO EOS Defence Systems (Global) said. "We could not have done it without our key Australian partners; Australian companies investing in Australian infrastructure and Australian capability to build a sovereign ecosystem that can support the development of any direct fire weapon capability."
EOS has worked with Lightforce Group for a number of years to develop purpose built facilities for their test and evaluation processes. Lightforce Group has gained approval for weapons traces up to and including 120mm calibre and have ammunition storage facilities certified to meet ADF and industry requirements.
This latest round of test firing puts into action the plans EOS laid out in their Land Forces 2021 announcements with NIOA and RAIDER Targetry.
NIOA handled ammunition ordering, international freight, managing federal and state regulatory requirements, local storage and the final delivery to the team at the range. NIOA is in the process of establishing a 30x173 mm ammunition manufacturing capability in Australia which will further support ongoing testing.
EOS’ turret and remote weapon system development program includes RAIDER Targetry’s Mobile Moving Target System (MMTS). MMTS was developed with the support of the Australian Army via an Army Innovation Day pitch and does not require any fixed infrastructure during target engagement.
“EOS has made a significant commitment in time and money to generate this sovereign ecosystem, and it’s great to see our privately funded T2000 turret and test activity delivering sovereign capability," Sanderson said.
The T2000 is one of several systems being tested at Klondyke Range Complex. Other systems included the new 30x173 R800 remote weapon station (RWS) and variants of the R400 RWS firing the M230LF 30x113 cannon. The 30mm equipped R400 was fired off the Milrem THeMIS UGV.