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Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program

Photo: Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems of ANU

The Australian National University will develop light-weight transportable solar panels based on SLIVER cell technology under funding received via the Capability & Technology Demonstrator Program.

 

Australian companies and universities will share $21.5 million in Round 12 of Defence’s Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program.

The 12 successful CTD projects for 2008 are:

• Ka Band Satellite On-The-Move Communications System (EM solutions) – A novel Australian mounted battle command-on-the-move X and Ka band communications. The proposed system would be able to be integrated onto a variety of military platforms and would provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with enhanced mobile situational awareness while on the move in hostile territory.

• Field Portable Supersonic Particle Deposition unit (Rosebank Engineering) – A compact field-portable Supersonic Particle Deposition machine for use at ADF facilities (e.g. air and naval bases). The machine is used to apply corrosion protective coatings to metallic surfaces and to repair surface-damaged components, currently only available in large-scale facilities. A field-portable machine would enable the ability to be available to many ADF facilities and improve the reliability, availability and maintenance of ADF equipment.

 

• Special Sonar for Submarines (Sonartech Atlas) – A new submarine sonar that can detect and track close-in contacts. This has the potential to greatly increase the Australian submarine’s ability to detect other close submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles.

• Elongate Solar Cells for Energy Generation (The Australian National University) – Flexible solar panels with high efficiency under both normal and subdued light and with high power-to-weight ratios. These solar cells would allow soldiers to generate power in the field and reduce the need for batteries. The technology may be suitable for incorporation into wearable textiles. The proposal builds on extensive solar research undertaken by The Australian National University.

• Adaptive Tuned Mass Damper for Submarine Engines (University of Adelaide) – Improved vibration absorbers for submarine engines to reduce the vibration from engines. This is vital in reducing the acoustic signature of Australian submarines and will improve the operational effectiveness.

• Miniaturised GPS Anti-Jam Module (Tenix Systems) – A number of ADF craft are unable to be fitted with current global positioning system (GPS) anti-jamming units due to size, weight and/or power limitations. This CTD will develop a miniaturised GPS anti-jam device that would allow small craft to continue to employ GPS when subjected to jamming.  It would also allow the identification, location and direction of the jamming.

• Low Band Direction Finding Sub-System (Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems) – Enhance existing electronic support measures (ESM) used on naval vessels to determine the angle of arrival of signals from external sources. This assists the operational effectiveness and safety of the vessels. If successful, the project will improve the Navy’s low band ESM system and assist in the development of Australian industry’s indigenous electronic warfare capabilities.

• Tactical Electronic Warfare Open Architecture RF Subsystem (BAE Systems) – A study by a number of Australian companies to develop the requirement for an open architecture radio frequency (RF) sub-system for electronic warfare. An open architecture subsystem would enable the easy upgrade of RF antennas as electronic warfare threats evolve in the future.

• Rifle Fired High Velocity Grenade Launcher (Intelligent Sensing) – An improved grenade launcher with a unique recoil system to enable the launch of 40mm grenades from the Austeyr rifle. The weapon will provide Australian soldiers with the ability to fire both 40mm as well as high velocity munitions from connected and similar weapons.

• Low Cost On-Store Telemetry (Tenix Systems) – A new low-cost system for measuring the trajectory of a store (e.g. bomb, missile or fuel tank) released from Royal Australian Air Force aircraft. If successful, the project could produce significant savings and improved information from aircraft flight tests.

• Battlefield Integrated Tactical Exploitation of Sensors (Tenix Systems) – A surveillance system that can produce a consolidated picture from a range of sensors (i.e. radar, thermal imagery, video, electronic surveillance) to an operator. This proposal would increase the awareness of commanders in the field and fill a gap in the integration of unconnected sensors.

·  Helicopter Aid for Maritime Operations (Advanced VTOL Technologies) – A system based on real-time simulation to provide flight crews and deck crews with improved measures of ship-helicopter operating limits. The system would maximise effectiveness of helicopter operations, improve safety for flight and deck crews and provide a means of usage monitoring.

The Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program assists in the improvement of priority Defence capability by providing Australian Industry with an opportunity to demonstrate their technology, thereby allowing Defence to assess its potential to enhance military capability and the likely risks associated with acquiring the technology.  

DSTO calls for applications for funding on an annual basis. Round 13 closed on 18 July 2008, with successful projects to be announced mid-2009. The next available cycle is Round 14, expected to open in April 2009.

This website provides access to information about the CTD program, including detailed information about the proposal and selection processes. All CTD proposals should address a particular Defence capability priority and are required to demonstrate their capability potential within three years.  

The links on the side of the page will direct you to information about the types of funding provided under the program, instructions and templates for proposing a CTD or applying for related funding, an explanation of the selection process, essential policy information, and contact details for the CTD Program Office.

Some current areas of interest which applicants might wish to consider include, but are not limited to:

•          Sensors/weapons applicable to urban operations

•          Non-lethal weapons

•          Networking of sensors, information and decision support systems

•          Modelling and simulation to support acquisition, operations and planning, or network communications training

•          Protection and survivability of military platforms

•          Collision avoidance technologies for smaller Unmanned Air Vehicles

•          Innovative submarine platform mechanical control systems

•          Innovative weapons

•          Robotics in the land environment

•          Automated asset tracking

•          Supersonic aerial targets

•          Applications to support operational decision making

•          Innovations in deployable communications

•          Battlefield energy generations and storage

•          Combat identification and friendly force tracking

•          Counter-mine technologies

•          Rapid assessment of the physical nature of an operational environment

•          Military platform signature management

•          Wireless, low intercept flight deck communication

•          Navigation/communications for robotic land, sea and air vehicles

•          Modular systems for multi-role military platforms

Applicants are encouraged to discuss their CTD proposals with the Capability Development Group of Defence, and with the relevant research division of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). The CTD Program Office can assist prospective applicants with relevant Defence contacts and completing proposals.

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