Investing in Future Defence Technology
News Item
- Date:
- 17 November, 2008
- Media Release Number:
- MINSCIENCEANDPERSONNEL174/08
Innovative defence science technology will now be given a greater hand to become operational reality, through a new Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) program, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, announced today.
The Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Extension Program is designed to fast-track successfully demonstrated projects for further capability development.
The CTD Extension Program builds on work already undertaken by DSTO to encourage Australian industry to innovate through the original CTD program. The CTD provides industry with the opportunity to demonstrate new technology, showing Defence the potential performance and technical risk associated with its implementation.
“The Extension Program is the next step in the process to move successfully demonstrated CTD technologies closer to operational capability for the Australian Defence Force,” Mr Snowdon said.
“The Government is investing $10 million a year over five years to kick-start some of the successful CTD projects for further development.
“According to Defence priorities, the projects for the Extension Program are currently being short-listed from 33 successful CTD projects,” Mr Snowdon said.
“The CTD Extension Program is further evidence of the Government’s commitment to innovation in defence technologies and its continued support for industry to achieve capability outcomes.”
CTD Extension Program will be managed by DSTO in consultation with the Defence Materiel Organisation and Defence’s Capability Development Group.
Media contacts:
Kate Sieper (Mr Snowdon): 02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689
Jimmy Hafesjee (DSTO): 02 6128 6376 or 0404 042 457
Defence Media Liaison: 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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.