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Investment in advanced testing infrastructure and an AS9100D-certified quality management system strengthens REDARC’s ability to deliver trusted capability for defence and aerospace customers.

South Australian electronics manufacturer REDARC Defence & Space has expanded its sovereign testing and compliance capability through a significant upgrade to its in-house Testing & Compliance (T&C) facilities. This pivotal upgrade further strengthens support for Australian Defence Force programs and reinforces Australia’s sovereign industrial base.

As part of a broader investment in quality, compliance and manufacturing capability, REDARC has significantly upgraded its Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) chamber at its advanced manufacturing facility in Lonsdale, South Australia, expanding its ability to conduct advanced military-grade testing and validation locally. 

The investment strengthens REDARC’s capacity to accelerate qualification activities, reduce development risk and deliver mission-ready technologies and hardware more efficiently to Defence and industry partners.

The upgrade includes the installation of 75 new RF absorbers across three walls and the ceiling. This enables MIL-STD-461-compliant testing and significantly expands REDARC’s ability to qualify electronic and electro-mechanical systems for operation in demanding defence environments. 

Specifically, the uplifted capabilities give the EMC laboratory comprehensive coverage of defence and space industry electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements, including:

• Radiated Susceptibility: Expanded ability to perform RS103 testing to 50V/m across a 2MHz to 18GHz frequency range
• Conducted Susceptibility: Newly commissioned testing capabilities for CS101, CS115, and CS116 standards
• Environmental Stress Screening: Commissioning of a new ESPEC AR Series Environmental Chamber in partnership with New Zealand testing specialist Halt & Hass. This expands thermal testing capability for batteries and electronic systems to validate product reliability and performance under demanding operational conditions.

As Defence places greater emphasis on sovereign capability, supply chain resilience, and operational readiness, REDARC’s expanded infrastructure significantly reduces reliance on external providers. This shortens development timelines and strengthens integration across engineering, testing, and manufacturing teams, ultimately improving responsiveness and reducing qualification risk.

This enhanced capability directly supports a growing portfolio of advanced technology projects and REDARC’s contribution to major Defence programs, including:

• LAND 400 Phase 3 Redback IFV
• EXPORT Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defence System (CDS)
• LAND 19 Phase 7B NASAMS Fire Distribution Centres
• SEA 5000 Hunter Class Frigate Program

“Australia’s defence capability depends on trusted sovereign industry partners with the ability to design, test, manufacture and sustain critical technologies locally. Investments like this strengthen Australia’s industrial resilience by increasing the amount of testing, qualification and manufacturing that can be performed domestically.

“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.”

— Scott Begbie, Executive General Manager, REDARC Defence & Space

“AS9100D certification validated the systems and disciplines that underpin our defence manufacturing approach, and this investment in advanced testing infrastructure builds on that foundation. 

“By expanding our in-house testing capability, we can generate critical performance data earlier, accelerate qualification activities and reduce technical risk. For Defence and industry partners, that means greater confidence in product performance, compliance and qualification outcomes.”

— Dr David Murfett, Defence Engineering Manager, REDARC Defence & Space

Operating from South Australia, REDARC Defence & Space continues to invest in the quality systems, infrastructure, and technical expertise required to support current and future Australian defence programs.