$28 million for defence innovation goes to nine new contracts

The Defence Innovation Hub has announced its latest round of grants to industry worth $28 million, with grant funds going to nine new contracts and two existing projects.

Two of the recipients, BlueZone Group and QinetiQ, were awarded contracts to further develop promising technologies that have previously received grant funding support.

BlueZone Group won a second Defence Innovation Hub contract valued at more than $7 million to continue the development of the Wave Glider Unmanned Surface Vehicle technology (pictured).

“BlueZone Group’s technology has the potential to greatly improve the Navy’s situational awareness when operating in marine environments,” Minister Price said.

QinetiQ was awarded a $4.8 million contract to develop an innovative technology that could be used to better regulate air quality in submarines.

This system has the potential to offer significant improvements on existing systems by significantly reducing size, weight and power requirements.

Minister for defence industry Melissa Price said about 84 per cent of investment had now been directed to Australian SMEs and research organisations.

The Defence Innovation Hub latest grants are:

• BlueZone Group, $7.1 million to develop an unmanned surface vehicle that can be integrated into Australia’s future frigates.
• QinetiQ, $4.8 million to develop a technology that will help to regulate air quality inside submarines.
• Thales Australia, $3.8 million towards its Blue Sentry autonomous sonar system that will seek to expand Australia’s surveillance capabilities in the maritime domain.
• Silentium Pty Ltd, $3.5 million to develop its space surveillance passive radar technology.
• Armor Composite Engineering, $3.2 million to develop its curved body armour that can be worn by both male and female soldiers.
• Defendtex Research Labs, $2.1 million to develop an enhanced drone platform that can be used across a range of operating environments.
• Mission Systems Pty Ltd, $2.1 million to develop its mine neutralisation technology that seeks to enhance the safety of ADF personnel in the maritime domain.
• Prism Systems Pty Ltd, $925,000 to develop an integrated capability solution for the Royal Australian Navy for aviation system integration flight trials.
• And Spiral Blue Pty Ltd, $640,000 to develop a satellite imagery processing system capable of monitoring large geographic areas.

Picture: BlueZone Group

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