DSTO News

Intelligence system worth examining

Date: 23 June, 2008

Under a cooperative research and development agreement signed on 13 June, DSTO and Raytheon Australia will partner to demonstrate, test and evaluate Raytheons Distributed Common Ground System (DCGS) and DCGS Integrated Backbone capabilities in an Australian intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance context. The DCGS is a web-based system that enables the sharing of near real-time, intelligence information among warfighters.

A test lab is being established at DSTO Edinburgh for the term of the project, where DSTO and Raytheon will work together to integrate data and other software applications into the Raytheon system. This work will build upon the more general interest DSTO and Defence have in understanding how these types of systems can assist intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

At the official signing ceremony, Acting Chief Defence Scientist Ian Sare noted that, The agreement with Raytheon is only one element of DSTOs work in this area. The Raytheon DCGS is one sample solution for future intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations and was originally developed by Raytheon for the US Air Force.

Tailoring the product for potential use in the Australian environment is an excellent example of the close relationship between the US and Australia in terms of technology development.

Reconfirmed Australia-US Defence Science Alliance

Date: 20 June, 2008

Media Release Number: 078/2008

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today reaffirmed the importance of military research collaboration between Australia and the United States.

Speaking to representatives of the South Australian chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia, Mr Snowdon said the special relationship between Australia and the US has prompted both governments to pursue a Defence Trade Treaty that would improve technology transfer between the two countries.

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has a strong presence in South Australia, providing significant opportunities for local industry to work more closely with Defence, including on programs of importance to both Australia and the United States, said Mr Snowdon.

DSTO partners with a number of organisations in the US to deliver capability outcomes for the Australian Defence Force, as well as maintaining strong science and technology links with the US through the important multilateral organisations, such as The Technical Cooperation Program.

Australia needs the defence industry and DSTO to build on its collaborations and ensure quality, world-class technology is available to support the operational needs of the Australian Defence Force, the technology needs of the wider Defence organisation and its allies.

He said DSTO licensing and intellectual property will be one area of focus in the enhancement of engagement with industry.

Mr Snowdon also announced the White Paper will be looking at the value of an external board of scientific review for DSTO.

A Science Review Board would enable DSTO to focus its research to match the challenges in Defence over the next 20-30 years; challenges that will be set out by the White Paper.

Australia already punches well above its weight in defence science and technology, and we must work hard to keep that cutting edge, for ourselves and for our allies.

Australian Innovation to Drive Defence Capability

Date: 20 June, 2008

Media Release Number: 079/2008

Australian companies and universities will share $21.5 million in the latest round of defence capability development funding, the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP announced today.

"It is widely acknowledged that Australian industry plays a key role in supporting our Defence operations. So I am pleased to announce today that 12 innovative proposals have been selected for further development under the Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program."

"The CTD program provides opportunities to show how advanced technology can provide significant enhancement to Defence capability. These 12 projects come from various industry sectors, and include small-to-medium enterprises, established defence contractors and Australian universities.

"It is exciting to see that the proposals receiving funding in 2008 cover a very wide spectrum of defence capability from wearable solar panels to submarine sonar, from grenade launchers to GPS anti-jam units.

"The projects are a mix of leading edge technologies and innovative applications of existing technologies, with the potential to result in major savings for Defence, spin-offs for civilian use and export opportunities for Australian industry," said Mr Snowdon.

The Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program supports priority defence capability development by funding Australian industry to trial new technology. The work informs Defence of the potential performance and technical risks associated with future implementation.

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation manages the CTD Program on behalf of Defence.

For information about the 12 new CTD projects go to: http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/collaboration/3743/

Futuristic Materials Centre Established

Date: 19 June, 2008

Media Release Number: 074/2008

The development of futuristic materials for use in ships, aircraft and combat vehicles is now a reality, with the establishment of the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC).

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon. Kim Carr and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, the Hon. Greg Combet AM MP today announced that the DMTC is incorporated and ready to start.

The DMTC is the first centre of its kind, and will bring together some of Australias brightest talents in the field of materials technology research, said Mr Snowdon.

Participants such as Bluescope Steel, BAE Systems, Thales Australia, GKN Aerospace, Surface Technology Coatings, ANSTO, Wollongong University and Queensland University have been unstinting in their commitment and co-operation.

A board of directors has been elected, and Dr Mark Hodge has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, with effect 30 June. The DMTC officially commenced operations on 10 June on the signing of the Commonwealth Agreement, and will open its doors at the beginning of July.

Mr Combet said that the Centre will play a vital role in the protection of Australian troops deployed around the world.

The DMTC will be headquartered at Swinburne University and will receive Australian Government funding of $30 million and a further $52 million from the collaborative partners, said Mr Combet.

Its program is designed to develop specific future defence capabilities not currently addressed by Australian defence industry. I look forward to it delivering improved armour protection for military vehicles and high-tech materials for use in major Defence acquisitions such as the Joint Strike Fighter.

The DMTC is the first to be established under the Defence Future Capability Technology Centre Program, modelled on the Governments successful Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) Program.

"The decision to emulate the CRC Program which is now in its seventeenth year in the delivery of this new initiative is testament to the value of the program," Senator Carr said.

"It is absolutely essential that we have innovation programs and infrastructure that can solve the widest range of problems social and environmental, as well as economic," he said.

The DMTC will be managed by the Innovation portfolio. With 13 partners from Government, industry and the research sector, the Centres establishment is on schedule, making it the shortest timeframe for an organisation of this nature to be established.

Equipping the soldier of the future

Date: 30 May, 2008

Media Release Number: 064/2008

Politicians sampled Special Forces ration packs at a Defence Science and Technology showcase at Parliament House, hosted by the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP.

"We all know an army cant march on an empty stomach and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has been doing a lot of work on improving the nutritional value and importantly the taste of Armys patrol and combat rations," Mr Snowdon said.

Also on display was the new hot weather ration pack, which the Defence Science and Technology Organisation designed for operations in tropical and hot environments.

The contents of the prototype ration pack are designed to require little or no heating and can be consumed while the soldier is on the move. Making rations easier to eat will help to ensure soldiers are fit, well and energised while operating under challenging conditions.

"Ensuring Australian soldiers have access to the best technology is a priority of the Australian Government," Mr Snowdon said.

"A lot of behind-the-scenes research is undertaken across Defence to continually improve the equipment we provide to soldiers."

Designed to provide Parliamentarians with a personal and in-depth understanding of the work being done by Defence to enhance the protection and performance of Australian soldiers, the briefing covered a number of new technologies.

Technologies on display included next-generation camouflage uniforms, modular combat body armour, ballistics protection, personal role radios and a sophisticated thermal imaging rifle sight.