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Collaboration

DSTO's research generates intellectual property that DSTO transfers to Australian industry to enhance Defence capability and generate national wealth.

Engagement with industry is a priority for DSTO

The transfer of DSTO technology to industry benefits the ADO by building a competitive Australian defence industry. Industry benefits from the introduction to new technology and defence markets, the development of spin-off products with a civilian application, and income from domestic and export markets.

DSTO and industry have successfully partnered to:

• Reduce the cost of sustaining Australian Defence Force capability through productivity enhancements - for example LADS
• Expand the value of ADF capability by delivering new/improved elements through smarter technology - for example the Chemical Biological suit
• Open new markets for products originally developed for Defence - for example Composite Bonded Repair Technology
• Adapt DSTO technology for civilian needs - for example towed arrays for seismic work

LADS - In the 1980s DSTO developed the Laser Airborne Depth Sounder to measure the depth of coastal waters with greater efficiency and speed compared with conventional shipborne sonar methods.  In 1989, in partnership with BHP Engineering, Vision Systems LTe won a $52 million Defence contract for the further development, manufacture and commissioning of LADS.  In the last ten years the LADS technology has generated over $100 million for Australian companies and continues to find new markets for different applications, especially in the USA.

Chemical Biological Suit - DSTO has worked with an Australian company, Melba Industries to develop a breathable tri-layered fabric with a chemical absorbent middle layer.  A CB protective suit manufactured using this technology not only offers the same level of protection against chemical agents as previous protective overgarments, but is as comfortable to wear as a normal combat uniform - a huge advantage to ADF personnel working in hazardous environments.  Melba Industries is now the sole source provider of the CB Combat Suit to the ADF. Collaborations between DSTO and Melba Industries are continuing and a second generation suit with enhanced properties is a likely outcome.

Composite Bonded Repair Technology - DSTO is the pioneer and world leader in the use of adhesively bonded fibre composites (e.g. Bortex) to repair aircraft structures and arrest stress corrosion cracking. An Australian-owned private company, Helitech Industries Pty Ltd, was licensed to market and develop DSTO’s composite bonded repair technology. It is now used in commercial airliners as well as military aircraft belonging to the RAAF, US Air Force and the Belgian Air Force.

Solid Towed Arrays -  DSTO has collaborated with Australian industry for over three decades to develop an in-country capability in advanced sonar systems that meets ADF requirements in a broad range of operational environments. This is exemplified by the Barra sonobuoy and Kariwara solid filled towed sonar array.  In 1997, DSTO  and the ADF entered into an alliance agreement with TUS to exchange information on sonar systems technology and trends. This alliance has greatly benefited the Collins class submarine, allowing many new sonar functions supplied by other companies, including SMEs, to be implemented onboard the Collins. Similar efforts under the alliance have improved the functionality of the TUS Spherion B anti-submarine sonar aboard the ADF’s ANZAC frigates. Today, the ADF, DSTO and TUS are co-operating to develop advanced sonars.  TUS has further developed DSTO's Kariwara technology under licence to produce new-generation solid towed arrays (SENTRY) for the world commercial seismic survey market. SENTRY generates export sales worth approximately $40 million per year. TUS has exported over 500 kilometres of towed arrays since 1996, making it the world’s largest manufacturer of towed arrays.

AMAS - The Australian Minesweeping System incorporates the DSTO-developed compact, self-powered sweep called Dyad which emulates the magnetic signatures of target vessels, causing sea mines to detonate safely. Further developed by ADI Limited, AMAS has earned over $40 million in exports to the UK, USA, Indonesia, Japan, Poland and Thailand.

Starlight - DSTO’s unique world-first system that allows users of secure computer systems to access insecure networks (e.g. internet) without compromising their own security. This technology has applications in both government and commercial environments. Starlight is now being marketed worldwide by Tenix Datagate under the brand name Veto.

Cormorant Mine Lift Bag - The Cormorant Lift Bag is a safe and reliable method of removing underwater explosive mines. The lift bag fills with air from the cylinders contained within its assembly unit, bringing the mine to the surface. On recovery, the mine can be towed to a safe place for defusing or detonation. The technology was developed by DSTO and the Royal Australian Navy in partnership with two small Tasmanian companies Liferaft Systems Australia and Fiomarine Industries Pty Ltd.

NULKA - This active missile decoy, developed in partnership with industry and the US Navy from an original DSTO concept, has revolutionised ship protection with its unique, hovering rocket that entices missiles away from the vessel.

JORN - The successful handover in April 2003 of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network to the Australian Defence Force capped 40 years of DSTO’s pioneering research on the ionsophere, and hardware and software developments for signal processing and frequency management. JORN is a significant contribution to broad area surveillance of Australia’s strategic northern approaches. Australian industry has been involved in the development, operation and maintenance of the Jindalee system from the earliest days of the experimental test-bed sites near Alice Springs.

Seamark - DSTO developed this marine dye marker as a safe, effective and longer lasting alternative to flares and smoke signals for search and rescue at sea. The technology was licensed to Melbourne-based company, Pains Wessex Australia Pty Ltd and is now marketed worldwide.