Private 'space port' to test guided weapons in Queensland outback

A private weapons and aerospace testing facility is set to begin operations in late 2028 in the remote outback of Queensland, Australia. The project, known as the MaxQ range, will be located near the town of Thargomindah, approximately 11 hours west of Brisbane. The initiative, backed by the Queensland government, aims to support domestic and allied defense industries by providing a dedicated site for testing horizontal-launch equipment and guided weapons. The MaxQ range will operate on leased grazing land, spanning 1.2 million hectares. Phase one of the project includes the construction of launch infrastructure, explosives storage, and a 2.5-kilometre runway. These facilities are expected to generate up to 60 jobs during both the construction and operational phases. The range will be managed by Black Sky Aerospace, a Queensland-based company that has previously conducted sub-orbital rocket launches under the name Outback Space Port. The state government will contribute half of the $15 million required for the initial phase of the project, drawing from its $180 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund. This fund was established last year to promote investment in defense, biomedical, and biofuel sectors. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie emphasized the importance of developing sovereign defense capabilities amid global uncertainties. “We’ve got to look at sovereign capability, we’ve got to look at national security,” he stated. Mr. Bleijie noted that current weapons manufacturers often have to seek testing locations outside of Queensland due to regulatory and logistical constraints. “This is the sort of facility you can't do in Southeast Queensland,” he explained. He added that while Brisbane residents might object to nearby missile tests, the outback provides a more suitable environment for such activities. Local officials have expressed enthusiasm for the economic benefits the project could bring. Bulloo Shire Mayor John ‘Tractor’ Ferguson described the potential impact as similar to the oil boom of the 1980s. He recalled how the establishment of Jackson’s oil fields led to increased population and economic activity in Thargomindah. “That’s more people in the town, that’s more families, that’s more kids at the school. It’s all good stuff,” he said. Mayor Ferguson also highlighted Black Sky Aerospace’s long-term presence in the area, noting that the company had been conducting preliminary work at the site for several years. “They’re very excited about this site,” he remarked. Black Sky Aerospace, based in Logan, was founded in 2018 and specializes in propulsion technology, including rocket motors and fuels. The company operates a launch and production facility near Goondiwindi and has received previous federal government support for its manufacturing capabilities. The MaxQ range represents another step in the company’s expansion into defense-related aerospace testing.