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With nearly half of ADF roles requiring STEM knowledge, Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro discussed opportunities for Australia’s future STEM and Defence workforces during the launch of National Science Week.
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Defence launched the week with a “Lunch and Learn” on 14 August, discussing an array of STEM innovation opportunities within Defence including the development of directed-energy weapons and quantum technology, Defence detailed.
The launch covered short presentations of the Defence Strategic Review’s six science and technology priorities, including long-range precision fires, information warfare, trusted autonomy, hypersonic technology, directed-energy weapons, and quantum technology.
With nearly half of Defence roles requiring some level of capability in STEM fields, Professor Monro explained that it was important to promote the study of STEM to Australia’s future workforce.
“Thirty per cent of civilian roles and over 40 per cent of ADF roles need STEM, and too often, our young people aren’t choosing the subjects they need to prepare them for those high-value jobs,” Professor Monro said.
“Defence offers STEM professionals a chance to work on challenging, engaging and important problems, and STEM personnel in DSTG [Defence Science and Technology Group] are already working in ways that align with the Defence Strategic Review.”
Celebrating National Science Week, Defence promoted emerging technologies that are shaping tomorrow’s battlefield.
Among these technologies are laser sensors embedded on the S100 Camcopter, used to map the seabed and beaches to detect amphibious landings.
The lasers were trilled under Exercise Sea Raider.
“We participate in major exercises to understand how the outputs of scientific research can be accelerated through the transition into operational use. This seeks to make the warfighter more effective for their missions,” geography scientist Dr Alexander Lee explained.
“It’s about talking to people, either day or night, to better understand how science can be used to resolve issues or identify new opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of the ADF.”
Defence also shone a spotlight on those members building a more capable ADF like Flight Lieutenant Joelene Buntain who holds a PhD in astrophysics and provides essential capability for the Defence Space Command.
Following the release of the DSR in April, leading the innovation charge will be the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), funded to the tune of $3.4 billion over the next decade.
The sum is $591 million over the forward estimates for Defence innovation, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence’s office outlined.
The Accelerator has been tasked with ensuring that the Australian Defence Force maintains qualitative overmatch, while ensuring a more “agile” procurement process.
ASCA opened for business on 1 July, bringing together innovators from Defence, industry, and academia to accelerate Defence capability and is headed by interim head Professor Emily Hilder.
Among its first priorities will be hosting state-based industry forums.
“The Accelerator is up and running less than three months since the government received the Defence Strategic Review,” the minister for defence industry said in a statement.
“It will unlock and ignite innovation from across the nation, bringing together the best experts from different sectors – driving change from within Defence to move at the pace and scale we need.
“This will mean faster acquisition and better links between Defence and industry to deliver the capabilities the soldiers, sailors, and aviators of the Australian Defence Force need.”
According to the Commonwealth’s initial schedule, ASCA will have 18 months to develop, test, and refine the operating model.
