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The Technological Advancement Of Modern War Has Entered A New Chapter. Australian EOS Introduced The World To Apollo, A High-Energy Laser System That Promises To Change The Way Drones Are Neutralized. With Scalable Power Of Up To 150 kW And The Capacity To Take Down Dozens Of Targets Per Minute, The Equipment Arrives As A More Affordable Alternative To Traditional Missiles.
The Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) officially unveiled Apollo, its high-energy laser weapon. The announcement took place ahead of the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London, from September 9 to 12.
The system is designed to tackle the rise of drones in combat scenarios.
The announcement came shortly after an unprecedented export agreement. In August, EOS signed the world’s first contract with a NATO country to provide a 100-kilowatt laser weapon. This move marked the entry of directed energy weapons into the global operational landscape.
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Power And Scalability
Apollo can reach 150 kW of power. According to EOS, the weapon can destroy between 20 to 50 drones per minute. The high redirection speed — less than 1.5 seconds for 60 degrees — ensures a rapid response to simultaneous threats.
Moreover, the connection to external power sources allows for unlimited engagements. Even when isolated, the system stores enough energy for over 200 shots.
This performance puts Apollo in the spotlight. EOS defines it as the “world’s most affordable attempt” to neutralize swarms of drones.
Cost Effectiveness On The Battlefield
The company highlighted its cost-effectiveness. A missile can cost over 200 thousand dollars. In contrast, a laser shot depends only on the available electrical energy.
This changes the economic logic of modern war. For every million dollars spent on an attack, defenders may need to spend fifty times more on traditional intercepts. Apollo is designed to reverse this trend.
From Light To Combat
EOS has been working with directed energy for over four decades. In 2023, it launched a “laser dazzler,” mounted on the remote Slinger station, capable of blinding drone sensors without destroying them.
Apollo represents the next leap: from dazzling systems to high-energy lasers with lethal capacity.
The focus is on small and medium-sized drones, classified as Groups 1 to 3. They are considered the most immediate threat to military forces and critical infrastructure.
The system can also disable sensors of larger drones from over 10 km, hindering swarm attack coordination.
Range And Coverage
Apollo has full 360-degree coverage, including on vertical targets. It can eliminate drones between 50 meters and 3 kilometers and neutralize optical sensors up to 15 kilometers.
The equipment is installed in a 20-foot ISO container, designed for mobility and easy concealment. In less than two hours, the crew can have it operational. This ensures usage in fixed bases or in expeditionary operations.
Integration With Other Systems
The weapon can operate independently or integrated into existing defense layers. Apollo was developed to work alongside missiles, kinetic effectors, and standard NATO command systems.
This compatibility facilitates adoption by allied countries and expands its market potential.
Technology In Demand
The CEO of EOS Group, Andreas Schwer, stated that laser weapons are moving from concept to real necessity. He highlighted the growing interest from governments in light of the escalating military use of drones.
EOS defines Apollo as “life-saving technology.” The goal is to protect troops, populations, and critical infrastructure with an accessible solution.
First Export
The contract with a NATO country marks the first international sale of a 100 kW laser weapon. The customer has not been disclosed, but the negotiation shows the increasing demand for cutting-edge air defense in Europe, especially in light of conflicts such as the one in Ukraine.
EOS is among the few companies in the world capable of providing ready systems in the 50 to 100 kW range. The company’s strategy is to further expand the line, using Apollo’s modular design as a competitive advantage.
Future Of Air Defenses
At the DSEI exhibition, EOS will present Apollo as part of Team Defence Australia, aiming to attract new international partners. The expectation is that laser weapons will play a central role in future air defense architectures.
According to the company, drones have profoundly changed warfare. Therefore, solutions like Apollo emerge to respond to new threats “at the speed of light.”
EOS concluded: “What we do next is what matters most.”
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