New Facilities Boost Australian Defence Science
News Item
- Date:
- 29 August, 2007
- Media Release Number:
- PARLSEC95/07
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Mr Peter Lindsay, today officially opened a state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar redevelopment of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) Melbourne complex.
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- Dr David Warren and Mr Peter Lindsay
The official opening marked the final stage of a $106 million redevelopment of the Fishermans Bend site to consolidate all Melbourne-based Defence research activities.
“The new facilities are an integral element of the Government’s vision to develop a strong Defence Force underpinned by modern technology and backed by a long tradition of science and innovation,” Mr Lindsay said.
“The Government is keen to ensure that DSTO facilities are fully geared to meet the advanced technology needs of Defence. This is required more than ever before as Defence is making some of the largest expenditure commitments to acquire new platforms.”
Recent and planned Defence acquisitions include the Super Hornet, the Joint Strike Fighter, the Air Warfare Destroyer, amphibious ships, the multi-role tanker transport aircraft, the Abrams tank, the Wedgetail early warning aircraft and the Tiger reconnaissance helicopter.
“To get the best operational performance from these new platforms, Defence will be calling on DSTO to deliver the finest know-how and innovative support skills they are renowned for,” Mr Lindsay said.
He said Defence scientists had played an invaluable role in strengthening the Australian Defence Force for 100 years. The Commonwealth appointed the first scientist, Cecil Napier Hake, to the Department of Defence in Melbourne in 1907.
Hake’s contribution to Defence has been recognised with the naming of a building after him. A great niece of Hake, Mrs Joyce Welsh, was on site to unveil the plaque bearing the name of Australia’s first defence scientist.
Another scientist honoured was Dr David Warren, who invented the black box flight data recorder at the Fishermans Bend site during the 1950s and put aircraft safety on the world map. DSTO’s new auditorium was named after Dr Warren.
Mr Lindsay said the black box is one of many DSTO innovations such as the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, the Nulka missile decoy, the Barra sonobuoy, the Starlight computer security system, composite bonded technology for aircraft repairs, and its world famous expertise in extending the life of military aircraft.
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.
