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Defence honours radar and weapons systems scientists

Two Australian defence scientists have won the prestigious Secretary of Defence's Achievement Award for their outstanding work in surveillance and weapons systems technologies.

Secretary of Defence, Mr Ric Smith, presents the awards in Adelaide to the two researchers, Mr Paul Amey and Dr Owen Williams.

The Secretary of Defence, Mr Ric Smith, presented the awards in Adelaide to the two researchers, Mr Paul Amey and Dr Owen Williams, from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO).

Mr Smith said the Secretary's Achievement award is presented to publicly acknowledge the exceptional performance of civilian or military personnel within the Department of Defence.

"These particular awards recognise outstanding work in enhancing Australia's defence capabilities," Mr Smith said.

Radar scientist Mr Paul Amey received the award for "exceptional contribution in the transitioning of the Jindalee radar capability into the broader Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) system".

"JORN is the front-line of Australia's wide area surveillance capability and is likely to remain so for at least the next two decades," Mr Smith said.

Referring to Mr Amey, he said, "Yours has been an intense personal contribution to the capability and your influence on the JORN project in recent years has been profound."

Dr Williams, an applied physicist, was recognised for outstanding performance in developing tools and techniques for the design and testing of infrared systems and missiles.

Dr Williams' work has resulted in a unique airborne signature measurement capability for fast jets and infrared flares in a way previously not possible and still unmatched anywhere in the world. (An infrared signature describes how a target looks in the red infrared light band - similar to the visible properties, which are recorded by a photograph.)

Mr Smith said Dr Williams' commitment had "given Australia a world-class capability in weapons evaluation and development, and has application to other related areas of research."

Media Enquiries:

Steve Butler (08) 8259 6923 or 0418 800 323

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is part of Australia's Department of Defence. DSTO's role is to ensure the expert, impartial and innovative application of science and technology to the defence of Australia and its national interests.

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