Welcome!
To the age of the laser rifle

The Problem

The rise of cheap commercial-grade drones, or Group 1 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has created significant challenges for both civilian and military sectors, raising concerns about privacy, security, and safety risks. These drones threaten commercial airspace, causing airport closures, and have been used in contraband smuggling in correction facilities. Drones are also fast becoming a privacy concern for individuals, and becoming a safety risk in high tourist areas. On the military front, low-cost drones enable both state and non-state actors to carry out sophisticated attacks and intelligence operations without the need for expensive technology, fueling an unprecedented wave of asymmetric warfare with few effective countermeasures.

Market Response

Due to their small size, robustness, and maneuverability, group 1 UAVs are particularly challenging to counter. The current solutions and their limitations include:

Electronic Warfare (EW)
EW methods, which consist of hand-held, vehicle mounted, and fixed site jammers and spoofers, are fast becoming obsolete with the development of  jam-proof fiber-optic drones and autonomous drones. Furthermore, EW methods are strictly prohibited in civilian markets, leaving no solution available for civilian applications.

Kinetics
Hard-kill methods include machine guns, proximity shells, and surface to air missiles. Kinetics, while effective, pose a significant collateral risk, and are expensive. For instance, a surface to air missile can cost $400k, while a group 1 UAV typically costs $400.

Directed Energy (DE)
DE solutions, including high power lasers and microwaves, are a recent candidate to countering drones. However, requiring immense amounts of optical or microwave power, which is technically and logistically challenging, DE solutions are expensive to acquire, complicated to maintain, and unsafe, having radiation hazard distances from 10s to 100s of km.

Critical Needs Areas

  • Armed Forces

  • Law Enforcement

  • Landmark & Infrastructure

  • Aerodromes

  • Correctional Facilities

The Katoomba

Smart C-UAV Laser System

Man-portable

For personnel, vehicle, and site protection against unmanned systems

The Katoomba is RedTail Technology’s solution to countering the growing threat of group 1 UAVs.

The Katoomba is a compact, ultra-versatile, directed energy (DE) system. The Katoomba incorporates an artificial intelligence (AI) enabled beam director, together with a specially designed DE laser system that specifically targets weakness’s inherit to drone technology, reducing the required output power needed to defeat a drone, while simultaneously minimizing risk to humans.

The system architecture of the Katoomba also enables effective countering of jam-proof systems, including fiber-optic-linked and autonomous UAVs.

Modular & Flexible
Architecture

The Katoomba has a rapid integration architecture. With a Picatinny based mounting system and a simple three-button operational interface, the Katoomba can be integrated with any system. Three primary platforms exist, with the same unit adaptable to all platforms:

Katoomba LR

The Katoomba laser rifle (LR) is ideal for law enforcement and other civilian applications requiring mobility and dexterity such as base protection, the Katoomba LR offers a familiar, lightweight, man-portable solution any firearms accredited person.

Katoomba LRA

The Katooma laser rifle attachment (LRA) is ideal for front-line infantry. The quick-release picatinny rail-mounted provides rapid response capability for sUAV defense without needing to switch weapon, and with the power unit appended to a modified buttstock, no additional backpack or tethers are required, providing maximum flexibility.

Katoomba LT

The Katoomba laser turret (LT) is best suitable for fixed-site, vehicle-mounted, and otherwise remote operation. The Katoomba LT can be controlled electronically and receive power from the  host platform, allowing for indefinite and widespread network operation.

About Us

RedTail Technology was formed by a defence industry professionals who saw a better way to develop technology at a faster rate, and to help save lives. We focus on developing cutting-edge technology, combining advances in photonics, artificial intelligence, and energy efficiency, our solutions deliver precision, adaptability, and sustainability for military and civilian applications. With a world-class team of visionaries, we are shaping the future.

At RedTail Technology, we have three simple principles that guide us:

  • Innovative Solutions
    Our only visionary limitation is that of physics. Everything else is an engineering problem.

  • Engineering Excellence
    Fantastic solutions are nothing without fantastic engineering!

  • Fairness and Transparency
    For a successful business, we must ensure that all persons are treated fairly and transparently. Employees, partners, and customers alike.

Our Values

Contact Us

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info@redtailtech.com.au

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