EOS closes in on HEL weapon exports

Published 24 September 2024 | Janes

Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is negotiating the sale of 50-100kW high-energy-laser (HEL) weapon systems to two undisclosed international clients in what it believes will be the first worldwide export sales of HEL systems of that power.

EOS managing director Dr Andreas Schwer told Janes on 21 September that the company is in the final stage of negotiations and expected a first order intake before the end of 2024 and a second one within the first half of 2025.

“Signing such an export contract would be a landmark for the international high-energy laser weapon industry as it would be the first-ever agreement of its kind at this power level”, he said.

To support the exports, Schwer said EOS is ready to transfer and localise all the related intellectual property (IP) in client countries, what he described as a unique selling proposition and a key market differentiator.

However, the company’s primary development and production centre for laser systems is located in Singapore which offered a pool of laser and engineering experts and strong political support.

EOS, a designer and manufacturer of remote weapon stations (RWSs), will focus its HEL product line on the 50–150 kW domain, the most relevant power range for counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UASs) and counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) applications, Schwer said.

In addition to a powerful laser as the directed energy source, EOS' HEL system is supplied with radar and infrared threat detection, fast cueing algorithms, target acquisition and beam locking, and safety systems..

The weapon can be supplied with 100–500 stowed engagements or operated continuously from external electrical power. Engagement range extends from 200 m to 3 km.

Analysis
EOS is also developing lightweight and compact low-power laser systems for integration on its RWS range that will provide users with the option of directed energy or cannon-based anti-drone engagement. Since its systems are not impacted by US International Traffic in Arms (ITARS) regulation, EOS said its defence laser business will be focused on the non-US market.