DroneShield and AIM Defence partner on directed energy in counter-drone architecture

DroneShield announced the expansion of its open counter-drone architecture to include AIM Defence’s Fractl high-power laser effector, extending its layered ecosystem beyond RF sensing, electronic warfare and command-and-control. The expansion comes through a collaboration with Australian directed energy company AIM Defence, which will bring the Fractl high-power laser system into DroneShield’s ecosystem of sensing and defeat technologies. The collaboration reinforces DroneShield’s long-term position as an open, software-led counter-drone platform provider, enabling customers to combine complementary sensors and effectors as threat environments and mission requirements evolve. As unmanned threats continue to increase in scale, autonomy and complexity, defence organisations recognise a layered counter-drone architecture is required to combine multiple sensing and defeat technologies. Such an approach incorporates complementary capabilities without replacing existing infrastructure. DroneShield’s solutions are highly effective for many RF-controlled drone threats, while AIM Defence’s directed energy offering provides an additional engagement option for scenarios where different defeat mechanisms are operationally advantageous. Together, they expand the range of operational responses available to defence and security organisations. AIM Defence is a global leader in the development of deployable directed energy systems. Its AI-enabled, high-power laser is designed to be interoperable with external sensors and command-and-control platforms, enabling precision engagement as part of broader layered defence architectures. The Fractl High Power Laser system is one of the few counter-drone lasers in the world to have been operationally deployed, and is currently being exported to multiple countries. Through the collaboration, DroneShield’s DroneSentry operational platform will be interoperable with AIM Defence’s Fractl high-power laser. This will enable operators to coordinate RF sensing, AI-enabled software, sensor fusion, command-and-control and directed energy from a common operating environment. “Customers are no longer asking which specific sensor or effector is best,” said Angus Harris, Chief Technology Officer of DroneShield. “They’re asking how to combine the best technologies into a single operational capability that can adapt as threats evolve. Expanding our ecosystem with AIM Defence’s high-power laser gives customers another defeat option within that same open architecture. It is great to be working with AIM Defence which, like DroneShield, is a shining example of Australia’s defence tech landscape.” “In Australia and elsewhere, the adoption of directed energy-based counter-drone solutions is moving fast,” said Jenelle Frewen, Director of Strategic Initiatives at AIM Defence. “This collaboration with DroneShield provides a framework for more customer demonstrations, interoperability work, and future deployment opportunities where directed energy can play a major role. With the inclusion of Fractl into DroneShield’s open architecture, allied defence and security organisations will have a proven drone hard-kill option to add to their existing layered counter drone and air defence systems.” Initial engagement will focus on selected military and government end-users to explore opportunities where the interoperability of DroneShield’s and AIM Defence’s solutions can support mission-critical counter-drone environments. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]