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Australia has successfully flight-tested a domestically designed and manufactured advanced solid rocket motor for the first time, marking a major step towards establishing a sovereign guided weapons and missile manufacturing capability under the National Defence Strategy.
An Australian-developed advanced solid rocket motor has completed its first successful flight test at the Koonibba Test Range near Ceduna in South Australia, demonstrating the nation’s growing ability to design, manufacture, integrate and validate critical missile propulsion technologies.
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The milestone is a significant achievement for Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise, with rocket motors representing one of the most strategically important and technically challenging components of modern missile systems.
Known as Koonibba Rising 3.0, the 100-kilogram-class solid rocket motor was developed under the Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator Program, a collaboration between the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), Thales Australia and a network of Australian industry partners responsible for component design and manufacture.
The flight test was conducted by South Australian launch provider Southern Launch from the Koonibba Test Range, with post-flight analysis confirming the motor performed as designed throughout the mission.
In addition to validating the propulsion system, the trial successfully demonstrated real-time flight monitoring and telemetry while enabling recovery of the test vehicle for detailed inspection and data analysis.
The successful launch builds on February’s static firing of the larger DRACO solid rocket motor at the Woomera Range Complex, highlighting steady progress towards establishing an end-to-end sovereign capability spanning the design, manufacture, testing and evaluation of advanced rocket motors.
Solid rocket motors are widely used across tactical missile systems because of their high energy density, reliability and ability to remain stored for extended periods while maintaining immediate operational readiness.
For Australia, developing this capability domestically is considered critical to reducing reliance on overseas supply chains while strengthening the nation’s ability to manufacture and sustain guided weapons in times of crisis.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the successful test represented a significant advance for Australia’s defence industrial base.
“This is a significant achievement for Australia’s defence industry and a major step forward in our ability to design, develop and test advanced rocket motor and missile system technologies right here in Australia.
“It showcases the strength of collaboration between Defence, Australian industry and research organisations in delivering cutting-edge capabilities that support our national security and sovereign industrial resilience.”
The achievement forms part of the Albanese government’s broader effort to establish a sovereign guided weapons enterprise capable of supporting the Australian Defence Force with advanced missile technologies manufactured onshore.
As Australia accelerates investment in long-range strike capabilities and domestic defence manufacturing, the successful flight of Koonibba Rising 3.0 demonstrates that Australian industry is steadily building the technological foundations needed to support future missile production.
While considerable work remains before operational systems can be manufactured at scale, the test represents another important milestone in creating a sovereign industrial base capable of delivering advanced guided weapons for Australia’s future defence needs.
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