Three of the country’s largest defence companies have signed an agreement with the Department of Defence that will secure the growth of a long-term Combat Systems Integration (CSI) capability for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) major surface combatants. BAE Systems Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Saab Australia and Defence have signed a CSI Collaboration Agreement (CCA), that will see the integration of the complex combat systems for the RAN's existing guided missile destroyers and Hunter class frigates undertaken in Australia. The collaboration will support CSI in surface vessels fitted with the US Navy’s Aegis combat management system – produced by Lockheed ...

Major General Kathryn Toohey, AM, CSC has been appointed to the Defence SA Advisory Board, adding an expert voice on defence capability development to the state’s key defence agency. ­Defence SA is pleased to announce the appointment of Major General Kathryn Toohey, AM, CSC to the Defence SA Advisory Board (DSAAB). With more than 35 years’ experience as an ex Army signals corps officer across varied postings, Ms Toohey has a solid track record in overseeing Defence capability development projects. Announcing the appointment, Defence SA Chief Executive Richard Price has welcomed Ms Toohey and the expertise she will bring to ...

South Australian-headquartered Nova Systems has signed on as a partner to EPE to help deliver ongoing maintenance and support of two Weapons Technical Intelligence (WTI) labs, as part of the Land 154 Phase 2 sustainment program. An Australian-first, the WTI facilities are a series of deployable containers, consisting predominantly of specialist scientific laboratory equipment. They can be transported and utilised on-scene, allowing for rapid assessment of weapons effects and explosive devices. Similar facilities developed overseas have enabled the rapid deployment of counter-measures during operations to protect Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and allied forces. Nova Systems Chief Operating Officer Steven ...

South Australian electronic warfare specialist DEWC Services has been recognised for its outstanding service to defence, named as the South Australian winner in the Consultancy, Training & Employment Services category of the recent 2023 Australian Achiever Awards. The awards recognise the outstanding customer service of small to medium Australian businesses and are based on customer service feedback across a range of areas, including communication, timeliness, understanding of customer needs, ethics and value. DEWC Services CEO Allan Dundas said the recognition is a credit to the company’s commitment to serving the Australian Defence community as a leading provider of electronic warfare ...

Australia’s leading space research centre, the SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), has unveiled a Compact Hybrid Optical-RF User Segment (CHORUS) prototype terminal that is set to transform military satellite communications. Launched at the 15th Australian Space Forum in Adelaide, the CHORUS prototype features world-leading technology developed entirely in Australia by the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and partners EOS Space Systems, EM Solutions, Lyrebird Antenna Research, Shoal Group, Australian National University and the University of South Australia. The project saw DSTG support testing at their LASER range, which included designing and building a ‘pseudo-satellite’ to prove the hybrid radio ...

South Australia is set to be home to high energy laser manufacturing capability with Defence awarding QinetiQ Australia a $12.9 million contract. A world leader in laser research and technology, QinetiQ will work collaboratively with Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to establish a high energy defensive laser system prototype capable of deployment in a wide range of operational environments. Chief Defence Scientist, Professor Tanya Monro AC, explained this collaboration is an example of how DSTG is facilitating the rapid transition of new science and technology into Defence capability. “DSTG is partnering with industry to build advanced and competitive Australian ...

South Australian-based advanced manufacturer AML3D has signed a major value-added reseller agreement for their ARCEMY® large-scale metal 3D printer with leading United States manufacturing and sales partner, Phillips Corporation. The partnership will see AML3D gain immediate access to the US defence market, with Phillips Corporation set to focus on exclusively selling the systems into the US Federal Government, including their Navy, Air Force and Army. The Phillips team will be trained and upskilled to enable frontline service and support in the US alongside the existing AML3D team. AML3D CEO, Ryan Millar, said he was excited by the partnership, particularly against ...

Adelaide based Fleet Space Technologies has celebrated the company’s first foray into the defence sector, signing a $6.4 million contract with Australia’s Defence Space Command. The agreement will see Fleet’s Centauri satellites used to develop a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications system for tactical communications and data transmission where there is limited connectivity. Named ASCEND2LEO, the project is a collaboration between Fleet, SmartSat CRC, Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), University of South Australia and Rice Satcom Pty Ltd. It will allow Defence to take advantage of the most modern commercial space technology that is currently used by the ...

Students from three South Australian schools are set to take on their international counterparts at the 2023 World Finals of the global STEM challenge, F1 in Schools. Established in Australia 20 years ago, the F1 in Schools program encourages groups of students to follow a pathway of engineering and manufacturing by taking them through the collaborative process of designing, analysing, testing, making and racing their own miniature vehicle. After participating in the 2022 National Finals, students from Modbury High School, Charles Campbell College and Adelaide High School and are now on track to take on the world in Singapore from ...

South Australia has been confirmed as the home of Australia’s next-generation submarine build, in what will be the most transformative industrial endeavour in the nation’s history. On 14 March 2023, the Optimal Pathway for Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability was announced as part of the AUKUS partnership. Known as SSN-AUKUS – the trilaterally-developed submarine will be an evolution of the United Kingdom’s Astute class submarine and incorporate the very best of Australian, United States and United Kingdom technology. Australia and the United Kingdom will operate SSN-AUKUS submarines as their submarine of the future with two production lines – ...

Four South Australian manufacturing companies have partnered under a new global brand to offer integrated sovereign manufacturing services to the aerospace and defence industry. Officially launching at Avalon 2023, Hephaestus Global comprises two independent defence manufacturing organisations, Toolcraft Australia and Mitchell & Cheesman, as well as engineering companies, Carr Components and Sharman Sheetmetal & Fabrication. With a mission to support a robust manufacturing industry and grow local employment, Hepahaestus Global will leverage the collective capabilities of the subsidiaries to create innovative and sustainable solutions. The group’s capabilities cover the manufacturing process from design to delivery, including: tooling and engineering machining ...

The South Australia – The Defence State stand was bustling with activity at the Avalon 2023 tradeshow, with the state’s largest-ever contingent of defence and space companies on display at the record-breaking event. Hosted by Defence SA, more than 50 organisations participated on this year’s South Australian stand, showcasing defence capabilities across information warfare, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The state’s space sector was also represented, demonstrating industry’s satellite manufacturing, launch and space surveillance capabilities. Industry was joined by the state’s three universities and the Defence Innovation Partnership – the South Australian Government’s catalyst for defence-relevant research – which provided a ...