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 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
-
US Army to receive Oshkosh’s next-gen autonomy-ready trucks by December
The company recently announced a new US$95 million order for the Palletized Load System A2 under the FHTV V agreement.
-
How the US Marine Corps “increased” Marines’ shooting accuracy by 99%
The new small arms training approach includes the use of data and simulation capabilities, as well as more realistic environments.
-
Lockheed nets $4.9 billion US Army contract to build more precision strike missiles
The PrSM missiles, known as Increment 1 weapon systems, will eventually replace the US Army’s Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).
-
US Army to field first human-machine platoon in two years
The Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office plans to deploy armoured and infantry platoon configurations around FY2027.
-
Avalon 2025: Hanwha signs engine deal with Penske for Redback IFVs
Penske Australia will also carry out local assembly and testing of Allison X1100 series cross-drive transmission under licence using kits supplied by South Korea's SNT Dynamics.