Australia eyes up laser target designators
The Type 163 Laser Target Designator provides >80mJ per pulse for up to 40 mins (at low PRF - 20Hz) with no duty cycle required. (Photo: Leonardo)
Leonardo will provide laser target designators as part of the Australian Project Land 17 Phase 2 programme.
Leonardo Australia has agreed with Collins Aerospace Australia to supply their Type 163 Laser Target Designators to the Australian Defence Force.
This order follows from the contract award to Collins Aerospace to supply new Digital Terminal Control Systems under the Australian Defence Land 17 Phase 2 programme.
The Type 163 Laser Target Designator has been designed specifically to meet the mission requirements of joint terminal attack controllers and joint fires observers for marking and terminally controlling air-to-ground weapons onto targets at ranges up to 10km.
The targeting system has been developed from Leonardo’s targeting lasers for aircraft such as the F-35 and Apache helicopter, resulting in a package that weighs just 2.3kg.
The product produces a high-energy laser with a narrow-beam divergence, and its feature set includes immediate firing from switch-on and continuous lasing capability.
The system is battle-proven, with over 800 units delivered to 27 international customers. This delivery will bring the system into use with all Five Eyes nations.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Polaris to unveil new MRZR Alpha base vehicle at Modern Day Marine]()
Polaris to unveil new MRZR Alpha base vehicle at Modern Day Marine
The new platform was designed to provide 1KW of exportable power as standard and has been developed in partnership with the US Marine Corps (USMC).
-
![British Army details Ajax plans]()
British Army details Ajax plans
Of the six variants in the Ajax programme – reconnaissance (Ajax), reconnaissance support (Ares), C2 (Athena), equipment repair (Apollo), equipment recovery (Atlas) and engineering reconnaissance (Argus) – the Ajax reconnaissance version is now entering service.
-
![CV90 revels in northern exposure while looking for new customers (updated April 2025)]()
CV90 revels in northern exposure while looking for new customers (updated April 2025)
The BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 IFV has been around for decades but continual refreshing to maintain power and relevance, along with a healthy market at home in Sweden and neighbouring countries, has led to more than 1,700 vehicle orders with 10 countries.
-
![Oshkosh notches JLTV win with Dutch order]()
Oshkosh notches JLTV win with Dutch order
The order further extends the Oshkosh Defense production line as AM General, selected for US orders, pushes to get vehicles out the door with no room for export orders.
-
![US and Europe continue moves to boost 155mm munitions production]()
US and Europe continue moves to boost 155mm munitions production
The new US facility for 155mm artillery projectiles is a reflection of a worldwide trend which has also seen Rheinmetall and BAE Systems working to improve capability in the same area.
-
![Dronebuster product line and production capability expanded]()
Dronebuster product line and production capability expanded
DZYNE Technologies, the maker of Dronebuster counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) devices, has announced plans to expand production and released details on a new version of the system. This follows the release of an all-in-one kit system earlier this year.
