Advanced military-grade testing and validation of mission-critical electronic systems can now be performed locally following a significant upgrade by a South Australian electronics manufacturing firm of its on-site lab.

REDARC Defence & Space, which operates from Lonsdale in Adelaide’s southern suburbs, has bolstered its testing and compliance facilities by upgrading its existing Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) chamber with 75 new radio frequency absorbers installed across three walls and the ceiling.

The absorbers enable MIL-STD-461-compliant testing to be done on site and significantly expands REDARC’s ability to qualify electronic and electro mechanical systems for operation in demanding defence environments.

The upgraded in-house testing facilities also reduce the company’s reliance on interstate and overseas test houses, shortening development timelines with earlier access to performance data and faster qualification cycles.

REDARC Defence & Space Executive General Manager Scott Begbie said the investment at the Lonsdale advanced manufacturing site is vital to strengthen the resilience of South Australia’s defence industry.

“Australia’s defence capability depends on trusted sovereign industry partners with the ability to design, test, manufacture and sustain critical technologies locally,” Mr Begbie said.

“Investments like this strengthen Australia’s industrial resilience by increasing the amount of testing, qualification and manufacturing that can be performed domestically.”

The enhanced EMC will deliver capabilities to test radiated susceptibility and conducted susceptibility of devices or systems. Specifically, how vulnerable a device or system is to electromagnetic energy that is radiated through the air and how well a device can tolerate unwanted electromagnetic interference that enters through its cables, wires or power connections.

“By continuing to invest in advanced manufacturing and testing capability, REDARC is helping ensure Defence has access to trusted Australian suppliers capable of supporting both current acquisition programs and future force modernisation initiatives,” Mr Begbie said.

The improved capability also directly supports REDARC’s contribution to major Defence programs including the Australian Army’s LAND 400 Phase 3 and LAND 19 Phase 7B and the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 5000 Hunter Class Frigate program.

REDARC has also installed a new ESPEC AR Series Environmental Chamber at the site, in partnership with New Zealand testing specialist Halt & Hass. The chamber will be used for more environmental stress screening and thermal testing capability for batteries and electronic systems.

REDARC Defence & Space is Australian-owned and operated and over the past four decades, has delivered advanced sovereign capabilities across power management, control systems and mission-critical technologies across both the defence and space sectors.

Photo: 75 new radio frequency absorbers being installed inside REDARC’s existing Electromagnetic Compatibility chamber at its manufacturing site at Lonsdale, in Adelaide’s south. Image courtesy REDARC Defence & Space.