The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group Australia have partnered on weapons development. They will create next-generation sub-systems for low-cost weapons systems, bringing together technologies from both nations.
"This collaboration represents a step-change in how we develop and deploy complex weapons systems," a spokesperson for DSTL said.
The partnership will combine the UK’s Modular Weapons Testbed and Australia’s SHARKTOOTH programme, which features ‘plug-and-launch’ modular technology, aimed at accelerating the employment of advanced, yet affordable weapons technologies.
"By combining Australia’s modular approach with the UK’s missiles know-how, we’re creating more versatile and capable systems for our armed forces," a spokesperson for DSTL stated.
Under this collaboration both nations will create new approaches and new technologies enhancing future weapon systems capability, including low-cost seekers (sensors which are responsible for detecting and tracking targets), additively manufactured engines (created by 3D printing or similar), modular warheads and fuses, algorithms to improve guidance, navigation and control and other novel weapons technologies.