Login
iscover
A new $4.6 million Defence research and development funding scheme has been launched to rapidly develop undersea warfare, trusted autonomy, and other innovations.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The fund will support a more rapid transition of technology developments into operational Defence capabilities, under the administration of South Australia’s Defence Innovation Partnership.
The first Activator project theme aligns with the undersea warfare and trusted autonomy priorities of the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology program.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Susan Close said the fund will create opportunities for greater investment, spin-offs into local industry, dual use into non-defence sectors, and supply for international defence and space programs.
“South Australia has real research strengths in undersea sensors, undersea autonomy, and machine learning. The Activator Fund will leverage those strengths to develop new technologies that will directly benefit our Defence Force,” she said.
“As a nation, we need to accelerate technology development towards future operational capabilities and the Activator Fund will enable this more rapid transition.”
Up to $1.6 million will be available from the fund for the initial “Remote Undersea Surveillance Data Processing, Analysis and Networking” project and successful applicants are required to provide matching co-contributions to support larger scale research.
Proposals will be sought from a consortia led by South Australian universities, industry, and involving Department of Defence partners, as well as other national and international partners.
Dr David Kershaw, chief science strategic planning and engagement of the Defence Science and Technology Group, said Australia’s Defence innovation, science and technology program is focused on delivering innovative Australian solutions to national security challenges.
“The Activator Fund is a positive initiative. It aligns closely with Defence’s Science and Technology Strategy,” Dr Kershaw said.
“By developing partnerships across academia, industry, and defence, it will enable scale to focus on priority Defence challenges and deliver impact by developing transformative technologies.”
A workshop will be held on Tuesday, 20 June for interested parties to meet potential project partners, discuss challenges, and learn about the grant application and selection process.
Activator applications will open on 26 June, with a closing date later this year on 4 August.
