Login
iscover
The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator is launching a new semiannual $4 million pitch day to drive local defence innovation, with the inaugural pitch centred on the theme of delivering an “innovative asymmetric advantage”.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
The theme refers to disruptive capabilities that will have a deterrence effect, the Commonwealth confirmed.
Under the announcement, defence businesses will have the opportunity to respond to an expression of interest from where selected companies will be given the chance to pitch their technology or concepts at the Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit to a Defence panel.
ADSTAR is held between 17 and 19 September.
Those successful at the ADSTAR pitch will then be invited to respond to contracts in a competitive process valued up to $750,000.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy noted the pitch day will deliver essential capabilities for Australian warfighters and boost the sovereign industrial base.
“With this week marking ASCA’s first anniversary, it’s only fitting we announce the inaugural pitch day, underscoring our commitment to supporting industry and ensuring our ADF personnel are equipped with the capabilities they need,” Minister Conroy said.
“One year after the establishment of ASCA, we’re already seeing initiatives and local innovators getting the support they need to help grow our sovereign industrial base and contribute to a future made in Australia.”
Expressions of interest will be open until 22 July 2024.
The pitch day forms part of ASCA’s mission of transitioning concepts into capabilities and improving the government’s acquisition process, a statement from the minister’s office outlined.
In April, ASCA announced Anduril Australia’s autonomous undersea capability Ghost Shark will become the Accelerator’s Mission 0, providing the Royal Australian Navy with a long-range autonomous undersea warfare capability.
The program is expected to provide the Royal Australian Navy with long-range autonomous undersea capabilities, operating across intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike mission profiles.
The program will fall under the federal government’s $7.2 billion commitment for development and acquisition of subsea capabilities, the Commonwealth confirmed.
According to a release from Minister Conroy, 10 local companies have partnered with Anduril Australia for the delivery of the capability with 42 benefiting across the supply chain.
Minister Conroy explained that the Ghost Shark program demonstrates the benefits of Defence and industry collaboration.
“Ghost Shark is an exemplar of how Defence and Australian industry can move at speed to develop new sovereign capabilities to respond to the challenges before us,” Minister Conroy outlined.
“By transitioning Ghost Shark to ASCA, a clear statement is being made about Defence’s commitment to the program.
“ASCA is focused on speeding up the transition of innovation into capability that will give our Australian Defence Force an edge, while creating more jobs for Australians commercialising the technology.”
