Unmanned Aerial Vehicle The latest drone news
Dazzler key characteristics
Named “Dazzler” by Australian-based Electro Optical Systems (EOS), the laser weapon was shown at Indopacific integrated with the R800 remote weapon station (RWS). R800 is a heavy duty weapon station capable of mounting autocannons up to 30 mm, in addition to anti-tank and short range surface to air-missiles. “Dazzler” is dubbed the “big brother” of “Slinger”. This existing counter-drone system combines a 30 mm gun with special ammunition to offer engagement ranges up to 800 metres. In contrast, “Dazzler” uses a 500 W continuous wave (CW)-laser effective to a range of 2,000 metres. Unlike the “Slinger” hardkill-system “Dazzler” is designed to target drone electro-optical guidance systems and as such is conceptually a “softkill”-system.
In terms of development the system is currently rated at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6. The classification indicates “Dazzler” was functionally demonstrated in a relevant environment. At present the laser weapon is in development for approximately eight months. The system is emblematic of a wider trend across countries developing a considerable range of soft- and hardkill laser weapons including for naval applications.
Dazzler capable of integration across a wide range of weapon stations
While EOS showed “Dazzler” mounted on the R800, company officials explained to Naval News at the show that the company had developed and tested the new product mounted to the much lighter R400 RWS. As such the laser weapon is suitable for integration across a range of weapon stations, with R800 and its “turret-level lethality” aiming towards the higher of the user-base. EOS-officials did point out that with additional funding and effort “Dazzler” could also see integration on the much lighter R150S. This weapon station supports machine guns up to .50 cal and is suitable for mounting on light offroad vehicles such as buggies.
Wider developments, exports and cooperation with Cratos for New Zealand
EOS at last years Indopacific 2022 presented for the first time a navalised version of their R400-RWS dubbed “R400-M”. Australia around the same time selected the R400-M as the RWS of choice for Australia’s new Littoral Manoeuvre Vessel-Medium (LMV-M). The company had previously in 2019 also signed a contract with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) worth up to $450 million including options for the delivery of remote weapon stations for the UAE Navy’s new Gowind corvettes. This agreement later stirred political and media debate over the country’s involvement in the Saudi-led war against the Iranian-backed Houthi-insurgency in Yemen.
At this years Indopacific EOS represented by VP Scott Hicks, also signed an MoU with Mick Turner, CEO of New Zealand based Cratos (not to be confused with US-based Kratos Defense & Security Solutions). EOS’s intention is to have Cratos act as the partner of choice promoting the EOS product-range for the requirements of the New Zealand Defence Force.
