The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group Australia have announced a ground-breaking partnership
The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) of the UK and the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group of Australia have announced a pioneering partnership aimed at developing next-generation sub-systems for low-cost weapons systems. This collaboration brings together cutting-edge technologies from both nations, marking a significant advancement in the field of complex weapons development.
The partnership will integrate the UK’s Modular Weapons Testbed with Australia’s SHARKTOOTH programme, which is renowned for its innovative ‘plug-and-launch’ modular technology. This technology is designed to accelerate the deployment of advanced yet affordable weapons systems. By combining these programmes, the collaboration aims to enhance the development of guided weapon sub-systems, thereby reducing risks and speeding up the process.
Under this collaboration, both nations will focus on developing new approaches and technologies to enhance future weapon systems capabilities. These advancements will include low-cost seekers—sensors responsible for detecting and tracking targets—additively manufactured engines created through 3D printing, modular warheads and fuses, algorithms to improve guidance, navigation and control, and other novel weapons technologies.
The partnership is expected to deliver several key advantages. Firstly, it will reduce development costs and risks by pooling expertise from both nations. Secondly, it will accelerate the deployment of new capabilities, ensuring that advanced technologies reach the field more quickly. Thirdly, it will enhance interoperability between UK and Australian forces, allowing for seamless cooperation in joint operations. Additionally, the partnership will foster innovation by developing and demonstrating ideas from both nations, thereby investing in sovereign defence ecosystems. Finally, the flexible, modular design of the weapons systems will allow for rapid adaptation to emerging threats.
This collaboration will enable both the UK and Australia to access a broader range of innovative ideas and cooperate on technology development. It will also expedite the delivery of these technologies across a wider range of operational use cases. For both nations, this partnership will strengthen defence primes, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and academia, supporting Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and the UK Ministry of Defence’s Complex Weapons Pipeline, as well as Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.
Each nation is developing a concept demonstrator, akin to a concept car, to prove future technologies before they are integrated into sovereign industrial and military capabilities. Australia’s SHARKTOOTH is a developmental weapon system, a small missile designed to enable rapid integration of various components, including sensors, warheads, guidance systems, and propulsion units.
A spokesperson for Dstl commented on the significance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership represents a step-change in how we develop and deploy complex weapons systems. By combining Australia’s modular approach with the UK’s missile expertise, we are creating more versatile and capable systems for our armed forces.”
This groundbreaking partnership between the UK and Australia signifies a new era of cooperation in defence technology. By leveraging the strengths of both nations, the collaboration aims to deliver advanced, cost-effective weapons systems that will enhance the capabilities of their armed forces and ensure their readiness to face emerging threats.
