$8.4m innovation grants to DMTC Ltd, QinetiQ

The Defence Innovation Hub has awarded $8.4 million in grants to two companies, DMTC Ltd and QinetiQ to help them develop novel products for use by security and defence forces.

$5.4 million has been awarded to Victorian company QinetiQ, which has partnered with the University of Melbourne to develop an innovative, deployable micro-grid that will help address an increase in the demand for power in the modern battlefield.

And $3 million will go to a Victorian company DMTC Limited to develop cutting-edge technology that could improve the protective equipment used by the Australian Defence Force.

The contracts were announced by defence industry minister Melissa Price and awarded through the Defence Innovation Hub, an innovation program partnering defence needs and Australian industry capabilities.

Using advanced energy management algorithms, QinetiQ’s technology will offer a power efficient, responsive and deployable micro-grid that will help ensure the ADF has access to power on the battlefield.

Price said: “This technology…has the potential to provide a globally deployable power solution, with applications beyond Defence.”

Meanwhile DMTC Limited will use its funding to explore the application of a novel textile technology within the ADF.

Price said DMTC would develop a light-weight prototype chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protective suit.

“This suit has the potential to reduce heat exhaustion and fatigue during very arduous activities.”

DMTC Limited operate under a novel, cooperative structure to bring together leading industry partners, universities and research organisations to develop innovative, cutting-edge technology.

Want help accessing defence grants – see @AuManufacturing’s value-added services partners here.

Picture: QinetiQ

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