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Australia’s defence forces will have access to ground-breaking technology, with the second tranche of Defence Innovation Hub investments worth $12.3 million unveiled today.
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The eight innovation contracts, announced by Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne, were awarded to three NSW companies, three Victorian companies, one South Australian company and one company in the ACT.
Minister Pyne said the latest announcements will support local jobs across the nation.
"This investment will see a number of organisations across Australia benefit from this initiative to develop game changing defence equipment," said Minister Pyne.
"It will help support a number of local jobs across Australia and keep local defence industry involved in the latest innovation for Australia’s defence."
The contracts awarded under the second tranche of investments are:
- Ron Allum Deepsea Services (Sydney, NSW): An innovation contract between Defence and Ron Allum Deepsea Services and Defence will explore the feasibility of a novel, high-performance autonomous glider for long-endurance undersea surveillance ($3,170,000 contract value).
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Saber Astronautics Australia (Sydney, NSW): An innovation contract between Defence and Saber Astronautics Australia will explore the development of an innovation that will use machine learning technology for autonomous identification and modelling of electronic threats ($275,000 contract value).
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Trang Imagineering (Regional NSW): An innovation contract between Defence and Trang Imagineering will explore the development of 3D sensors that have been used in the mining industry for potential use by the Australian Defence Force for threat monitoring in conflict zones. This innovation has significant potential for use by the ADF, such as identifying areas of ground disturbance where IEDs, or other threats, might be hidden, and identifying recent enemy movements based on 3D scanning of changes to terrain ($218,000 contract value).
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Deakin University (Vic): An innovation contract between Defence and Deakin University will explore the feasibility of developing a functioning hot fire training system using haptic (touch) force feedback, high fidelity visuals and realistic heat experience to improve fire fighting training for Navy. The combination of technologies is unlikely to have occurred elsewhere in the world ($2,157,000 contract value).
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Grollo Aerospace (Vic): An innovation contract between Defence and Grollo Aerospace will explore the feasibility of an affordable re-usable supersonic sea skimming target missile, designed in Australia, with the potential of offering a world leading capability optimised for the ADF ($1,925,000 contract value).
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SYPAQ Systems (Melbourne, Vic): An innovation contract between Defence and SYPAQ Systems will explore the development of software-based systems that effectively train networks to learn how to interpret non-standard intelligence products and convert them to comply with appropriate format standards ($274,000 contract value).
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Data to Decisions Co-Operative Research Centre (SA): An innovation contract between Defence and the Data to Decisions Co-Operative Research Centre will explore the feasibility of the development of a cyber threat intelligence capability that could assist enterprise and mission systems in identifying and treating potential adversary exploitations. This novel innovation will leverage international efforts in this research field ($1,054,000 contract value).
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QuintessenceLabs (ACT): An innovation contract between Defence and QuintessenceLabs will explore the feasibility of the establishment of highly secure communications links between two points, both fixed and over line of sight free space ($3,261,000 contract value).
Businesses and research organisations have been overwhelmingly supportive of the Defence Innovation Hub since its establishment in December last year, according to Minister Pyne.
"The Defence Innovation Hub was established in December last year as a robust program to facilitate and nurture the development of innovative technology and ideas in support of Defence capability," he said.
"The government has invested $1.6 billion to develop Defence capability through growth in the capacity and capability of Australia’s defence industry and innovation sector."
The first tranche of Defence Innovation Hub investments were announced last month and were valued at over $800,000 across three contracts.
