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Nineteen defence companies have pitched their ideas to the Army in the hope that they will be speedily adopted into service.
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This was the fourth annual Innovation Day, held at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra on Monday, with the theme for this year ‘Novel Weapons and Novel Effects’.
Companies from Australia, the US, Europe and Israel presented 25 industry proposals.
On display were new drone and counter-drone systems, weapon and ammunition enhancements, electronic counter measures and electronic warfare and simulation systems.
Army has issued contracts for user evaluations to 21 companies that have showcased their products at previous Army Innovation Day events.
This is a prime opportunity for businesses that may not have experience in working with Defence or have products developed for other markets.
Army Head of Land Capability Major General Kathryn Toohey said the event was an important demonstration of the co-operation between Defence and industry.
“Army Innovation Day is an opportunity for industry to present capability options that can shape Army’s approach to novel weapons and novel effects in a combined arms team in a joint environment,” she said.
In the past new products have undergone an protracted procurement process, but MAJGEN Toohey said many of these products will go through the Army’s short-cycle nomination, selection, demonstration and assessment process.
“The Army Innovation Day cycle is designed to get leading-edge technology into the hands of soldiers within 12 months,” she said.
“Some of the new innovative technology on display will progress to further testing and user evaluation by our soldiers in Army units.”
