Australia names Ghost Bat, hypersonics, lasers as defense technology priorities

Australia has placed autonomous aircraft, hypersonic weapons and high-energy lasers among the six priorities of a new 10-year strategy intended to accelerate emerging technologies into operational military capabilities. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles launched the 2026 Defence Innovation, Science and Technology (IS&T) Strategy in Adelaide, describing it as a blueprint to accelerate the delivery of new technology to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and strengthen Australia’s sovereign industrial base. 

Chief of the Defence Force Admiral Mark Hammond said the document would move new technology into the hands of personnel sooner through “a balanced approach to risk” and rapid experimentation. 

Six technology priorities 

The 2026 IS&T Strategy identifies six capability priorities: long-range fires and hypersonic weapons, high-energy lasers, autonomous systems, quantum technology, artificial intelligence and undersea warfare.

Marles said the document builds on its 2024 predecessor and aligns with the 2026 National Defence Strategy, published on April 16, 2026, and the Defence Industry Development Strategy.

Several of the technologies are already progressing through funded development, testing or production programs.

In April 2026, the government awarded AUD21.3 million ($14 million) to AIM Defence to improve the combat readiness of its Fractl portable high-energy laser. The Australian-developed system is designed to track and destroy individual drones and swarms.

A parallel AUD10.4 million ($7 million) contract awarded to SYPAQ Systems covers Corvo Strike, an interceptor drone intended to engage larger uncrewed aircraft. Both systems are being developed through the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s Mission Syracuse for integration into the ADF’s LAND 156 counter-drone architecture.

The government said its emphasis on counter-drone technology reflected lessons from the war in Ukraine and recent conflicts in the Middle East, where relatively inexpensive uncrewed aircraft have placed growing pressure on conventional air defense inventories.

Long-range fires are also moving into domestic production. Australia test-fired its first locally manufactured Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles at Woomera in April 2026. Defence described the new Port Wakefield production line as a pathway toward manufacturing longer-range weapons, including the Precision Strike Missile and hypersonic systems.

Australia and the United States are separately pursuing the co-production, sustainment and further development of the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile, while AUKUS partners are conducting flight trials through the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation program.

Artificial intelligence and quantum research are also moving toward operational applications. AUKUS-developed AI algorithms were deployed aboard an Australian P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to process undersea acoustic data from Australian, British and US sonobuoys more quickly.

The strategy also calls for quantum technologies capable of providing navigation and precise timing when access to satellite-based positioning is disrupted or denied.

Ghost Bat heads toward operational service 

A Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat flies alongside a US Air Force F-15EX Eagle II over the Philippine Sea during Exercise Valiant Shield 2026. (Credit: U.S. Air Force photo)The MQ-28 is the only aircraft named by type in the strategy. Developed by Boeing Defence Australia with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), it is designed to operate alongside crewed combat aircraft, adding sensors, weapons and electronic warfare capabilities without exposing another pilot. 

The program has passed several significant milestones since late 2025. Boeing Defence Australia and the RAAF carried out the type’s first live AIM-120 AMRAAM firing on December 9, 2025, destroying a fighter-sized target drone during a networked mission involving an E-7A Wedgetail and F/A-18F Super Hornet. 

The aircraft then completed its first flights outside Australia at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, California, in May 2026. Boeing announced on June 1, 2026, that radar cross-section testing had validated aspects of the aircraft’s survivability and low-observable performance. 

In June 2026, the MQ-28 became the first collaborative combat aircraft to participate in a multinational joint exercise. During Exercise Valiant Shield, it operated around the Mariana Islands alongside US and coalition aircraft including the F-35A, F-35B, F-15EX, E-3, E-2D, EA-18G and RC-135. 

The program comprises eight Block 1 development aircraft and three Block 2 operational test aircraft. In December 2025, Australia contracted Boeing for six additional operational Block 2 aircraft and an enhanced Block 3 prototype, with the investment intended to establish an operational RAAF collaborative air combat capability by 2028.The post Australia names Ghost Bat, hypersonics, lasers as defense technology priorities appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source