DroneShield announced on 14 September 2026 that its open counter-drone architecture will now include AIM Defence's Fractl high-power laser effector. The Sydney-based company said the expansion extends its layered ecosystem beyond radio frequency sensing, electronic warfare, and command-and-control. The collaboration is intended to give defence and security organisations broader engagement options against unmanned threats.
Expanding the Open Architecture
DroneShield describes the move as a reinforcement of its long-term position as an open, software-led counter-drone platform provider. Customers are able to combine complementary sensors and effectors as threat environments and mission requirements evolve. Defence organisations increasingly recognise that a layered architecture is needed to incorporate multiple capabilities without replacing existing infrastructure.
The Role of AIM Defence
AIM Defence is a global leader in the development of deployable directed energy systems. Its AI-enabled, high-power laser is designed to be interoperable with external sensors and command-and-control platforms, enabling precision engagement within broader layered defence architectures. The Fractl High Power Laser system is one of the few counter-drone lasers in the world to have been operationally deployed and is currently being exported to multiple countries.
Interoperability Through DroneSentry
Through the collaboration, DroneShield's DroneSentry operational platform will be interoperable with AIM Defence's Fractl high-power laser. Operators will be able to coordinate RF sensing, AI-enabled software, sensor fusion, command-and-control, and directed energy from a common operating environment. This integration is intended to simplify mission-critical counter-drone operations for military and government end-users.
Addressing Evolving Threats
As unmanned threats continue to increase in scale, autonomy, and complexity, no single sensor or effector is sufficient for every scenario. DroneShield's solutions remain highly effective for many RF-controlled drone threats, while AIM Defence's directed energy offering provides an additional engagement option where different defeat mechanisms are operationally advantageous. Together, the two companies expand the range of operational responses available to defence and security organisations.
Executive Perspectives
Angus Harris, Chief Technology Officer of DroneShield, said customers are no longer asking which specific sensor or effector is best, but how to combine the best technologies into a single adaptable operational capability. Jenelle Frewen, Director of Strategic Initiatives at AIM Defence, said the collaboration provides a framework for more customer demonstrations, interoperability work, and future deployment opportunities. Both leaders noted that directed energy adoption is accelerating in Australia and elsewhere.
Industry Direction
The announcement reflects a broader shift in defence technology toward open architectures that allow allied forces to integrate proven capabilities from multiple vendors. Directed energy systems are moving from experimental programs to deployed counter-drone tools, with Australia playing a visible role in that transition. By combining RF sensing and electronic warfare with a hard-kill laser option, the partners aim to support layered air defence systems for current and future threats.
Initial Engagement and Outlook
Initial engagement will focus on selected military and government end-users to explore opportunities where the interoperability of DroneShield's and AIM Defence's solutions can support mission-critical counter-drone environments. The partnership provides a structured path for customer demonstrations and technical validation in realistic operational settings. Over time, the companies expect this framework to generate deployment opportunities for directed energy as part of broader layered counter-drone and air defence systems.
The announcement illustrates how Australian defence technology providers are moving beyond standalone products and toward integrated, open ecosystems. By adding AIM Defence's Fractl laser to its architecture, DroneShield is responding to customer demand for flexible, multi-layered counter-drone capabilities. Defence and security organisations stand to benefit from greater operational choice as the unmanned threat landscape continues to evolve.