Australia Tests Largest Solid Rocket Motor for Missile Development

An Australian-made solid rocket motor, carrying more than 300 kilograms of propellant, has been test-fired for the first time in the remote South Australian desert.

The DRACO rocket motor is the largest and most advanced rocket motor designed and built in Australia.

The rocket motor was fired at Defence's Woomera test range in February, but footage of the test-firing has only been released now.

It is roughly a metre and a half long, weighs almost half a tonne before it is fired, and has been in development for four years.

Its successful testing is being described as a significant leap forward in Australia's push to develop and manufacture its own missiles.

The development of locally made missiles has become a Defence priority in recent years as it works to reduce Australia's reliance on overseas imports.

But missiles currently produced in Australia are largely assembled using overseas-built components, and there is a push to start making more components onshore.

Solid rocket motors are essentially the rockets that lift spacecraft off the Earth, or fly missiles thousands of kilometres.

A Defence spokesperson said this test-firing puts Australia closer to manufacturing.

"The successful static firing test marks the largest militarily relevant solid rocket motor ever designed and manufactured in Australia, delivering a significant step forward in building the nation's capacity to produce advanced weapon technologies domestically," they said.

"Data from the test will inform the development of larger-scale propulsion systems, supporting the next phase of Australia's sovereign capability in long-range and high-speed strike weapons."

Rocket produced in Defence project

The DRACO rocket was produced by Defence's Science and Technology Group, which aims to work with industry to develop new military technology.

Industry figures argue solid rocket motors are in high demand globally, and this work can be leveraged to develop more advanced and capable systems.

The Iran war has highlighted pressures on global missile supply chains, with estimates the US burned through more than 11,000 missiles in just over two weeks.

Those missiles are worth an estimated $38 billion.

Later this year, Australia's first locally made guided missiles will be produced in the Hunter.

Defence manufacturer Thales Australia led an industry group working on the DRACO project, and chief executive Jeff Connolly said it was a step towards a more substantial sovereign missile industry.

"The Draco rocket motor test with Defence Science and Technology Group is the result, and a demonstration, of sovereign advanced technologies manufacturing in Australia," he said.

"It required teamwork and an enduring commitment to securing the nation to develop, manufacture, and test the largest and most advanced military-relevant solid rocket motor ever in Australia."