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Stakeholders from across the defence industry will meet to discuss potential strategies to support the Commonwealth government’s precision guided weapons program.
The Australian Missile Corporation will host a working group this Friday (19 November) to discuss its bid to lead the Commonwealth government’s Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.
The AMC has partnered with the Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) to facilitate collaboration between defence representatives, industry leaders and academia.
The forum will be led by Commodore Nigel Smith, Director General GWEO Enterprise for Joint Capabilities Group, and NIOA Advisory Board member Ellen Lord.
Participants are set to include:
- former chief scientist of the Defence Science and Technology Group’s Aerospace Division, Dr Ken Anderson;
- Black Sky Aerospace director Blake Nikolic;
- Queensland Strategic Defence Advisor Brigadier (Ret’d) Alison Creagh;
- RAN Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Lee Goddard; and
- Queensland University hypersonics expert Professor Allan Paull.
Queensland-based munitions company NIOA, which is spearheading the AMC, will host the event from its Brisbane facility.
Robert Nioa, CEO of Nioa and the AMC, noted the importance of the working group, expected to involve more than 90 in-person attendees and hundreds of virtual participants.
“This is a timely opportunity to come together to examine the potential around what will be a significant new opportunity to strengthen sovereign industrial capability,’’ Nioa said.
“Australia needs a sustainable, resilient defence sector. The Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise aims to strengthen defence manufacturing by creating a capability pipeline that upskills the workforce, builds knowledge and contributes to supply chain resilience.
“Friday’s event will feature insights as well as a panel discussion with experts in their respective fields to examine how industry can co-operate, connect and align with the nation’s strategic defence future.”
The GWEO Enterprise, valued at up to $100 billion over the next 20 years, aims to produce a suite of advanced missiles for the ADF and allied nations.
A number of firms have joined the AMC consortium, including Quickstep, Moog Australia, Black Sky Aerospace and Thomas Global Systems.
AMC will be competing against the Sovereign Missile Alliance — a joint bid between Nova Group and EOS Systems — and Lockheed Martin Australia’s collaboration with Thales Australia.
Defence is currently in the process of defining key requirements for the enterprise.
[Related: EOS, Nova Systems form sovereign guided missile alliance]
