Australia
Australia's fusion research is conducted at ANU and through the HB11 Energy startup. Australia's DEW capabilities are developing through AUKUS cooperation, with DST Group leading defense research.
Key Findings
ANU (Australian National University) conducts Australia's primary plasma physics research.
HB11 Energy is developing laser-driven hydrogen-boron fusion, a novel fusion approach.
42 entities and 56 relationships map Australia's fusion and DEW ecosystem.
AUKUS cooperation provides Australia access to US and UK DEW technology.
DST Group conducts Australia's defense R&D including DEW assessment.
Research Paper
Australia's Fusion and Directed Energy Weapons Ecosystem
Plasma Physics Research, Fusion Infrastructure, and Defense Technology Programs
Key Entities
AUKUS Pillar 1
Nuclear-powered submarine acquisition program for Australia through SRF-West, Virginia-class, and SSN-AUKUS phases.
AUKUS Pillar 2
Advanced capabilities cooperation including quantum, AI, hypersonics, DEW, undersea warfare, cyber/EW.
MQ-28A Ghost Bat
Boeing Australia stealth UCAV loyal wingman, first flight 2021, world-first autonomous air-to-air engagement Dec 2025, $1.4B for 6 aircraft.
SSN-AUKUS
Trilateral nuclear-powered attack submarine design for UK and Australia, based on UK SSN(R) with PWR3 reactor.
ANSTO
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, nuclear stewardship for AUKUS, operates OPAL reactor.
Woomera
Woomera Range Complex: largest defense testing range in Western world, 122,000 km², hypersonic/UCAV/missile defense testing.
JORN
Jindalee Operational Radar Network: Australian OTHR, 3 sites, 1000-3000km range, AUD 14-20B modernization.
DSTG
Defence Science and Technology Group, Australia's defense science agency conducting HPRF and HEL research for the Australian military.
AUKUS
Trilateral security alliance between Australia, US, and UK enabling DEW technology information sharing and nuclear-powered submarine cooperation.
SRF-West
Submarine Rotational Force-West: UK and US nuclear submarine rotations through HMAS Stirling from 2027.
Timeline Highlights
Christofilos conceives strong-focusing principle for accelerators
Patented 1950. Rediscovered by Brookhaven 1952. Revolutionized accelerators. Weapons application proposed by Wilson.
Project Pegasus and Satellite Surveillance
Northrop Grumman X-41A CAV (Project Pegasus) and the KH-11 'Killer Hughes' satellite-based laser are documented.
The Foundational Science
Physicists at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) conducted the pioneering FRX-A, B, and C experiments. Led by a core team including W.T. Armstrong, R.K. Linford, and M. Tuszewski, this research established the fundamental principles of creating a Field-Reversed Configuration (FRC) plasma using a reversed-field theta-pinch. This multi-year effort, documented in canonical works like Tuszewski's 1988 Nuclear Fusion review, formed the intellectual bedrock for all subsequent U.S. FRC programs.
Australia Announces $7B Counter-Drone Investment
The Australian government announces up to AUD 7 billion in counter-drone defense spending over the next decade, as part of the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program.
Australia Aegis SM-2 Hybrid Mobile Launcher Test
The Australian Defence Force successfully tests a prototype medium-range ground-based air defense system at Woomera, integrating the Aegis Weapon System with CEA CEAFAR radar and a Derringer expeditionary launcher to intercept a BQM-74E target drone with an SM-2 missile.
AUKUS SRF-West Submarine Rotations Begin
The Submarine Rotational Force-West (SRF-West) begins at HMAS Stirling, with UK and US nuclear-powered submarines rotating through Western Australia as part of AUKUS Pillar 1.
Investigations
Research Topics
Explore Australia's involvement across specific research domains tracked by the SMT Research Institute.