QinetiQ and Forcys have formed a strategic collaboration to reinforce Australia’s maritime defense posture by improving how the country tests and certifies undersea and autonomous maritime systems. Signed under a new memorandum of understanding, the partnership combines QinetiQ’s extensive defense evaluation expertise with Forcys’ innovative underwater sensing and acoustic communication technologies.
The companies will focus on designing and deploying underwater test ranges that simulate realistic operational environments. These facilities will enhance the Australian Defence Force’s ability to assess submarines, unmanned surface vessels, and autonomous underwater platforms from the design phase through active deployment. Rigorous assurance frameworks are increasingly vital as Australia navigates heightened undersea competition and emerging threats.
Australia has been investing in deployable test ranges in locations such as Jervis Bay and Exmouth, which enable trials of sonar systems, mine-hunting AUVs, and deep-water surveillance assets. These facilities support evaluation in open-ocean, littoral, and high-traffic coastal environments, ensuring systems meet both safety standards and mission objectives.
This collaboration is closely tied to the Defence Strategic Review and AUKUS Pillar 2 plans that prioritize sovereign capability and advanced technology development. Australia’s adoption of autonomous maritime systems continues to rise, including Sea 129 Phase 4 mine countermeasures, coastal monitoring drones, and remote underwater inspection tools for infrastructure. Sensor platforms from Sonardyne and Chelsea Technologies enhance maritime domain awareness with secure telemetry, live tracking, and rapid threat identification.
