Prudent and targeted – budget delivers for industry

By Peter Roberts The federal treasurer Jim Chalmers tonight delivered a prudent budget that better targets the needs of industry and manufacturing. In a budget speech laden with words such as sensible and responsible, Chalmers said: “The budget implements our commitments to the Australian people to deliver cheaper child care, fee-free TAFE, cleaner and cheaper…

Silentium launches deployable space surveillance system

Passive radar manufacturer Silentium Defence has launched a new, world-first ‘observatory-in-a-box’ capability for improved Space Domain Awareness and Space Traffic Management. Designed and built in Australia, the deployable observatories combine Silentium’s MAVERICK S passive radar for detection and tracking of objects in Low-Earth-Orbit, with custom built, off-grid cabins for rapid, covert surveillance of space, at…

SA government satellite booked for ride to space

IoT satellite developer Myriota has announced an agreement with ISILAUNCH to send South Australian government satellite Kanyini into orbit on board a SpaceX Transporter rocket mission in 2023. Under the Launch Services Agreement, Kanyini, the first satellite developed by an Australian state government, will be sent into low Earth orbit. The home-grown satellite, named after…

VEEM to manufacture Hunter frigate propellers

Perth marine engineering firm VEEM is to manufacture two giant propeller blades and a propeller hub for the prototyping phase of the construction of nine Hunter class frigates for the Royal Australian Navy in Adelaide. BAE Systems Australia has awarded a $1.7 million contract to VEEM to manufacture the components under the supervision of the…

Government backs LBT Innovations APAS medical equipment

Microbiology diagnostic equipment manufacturer LBT Innovations has been awarded $1.5 million in federal government funding to support further development of the company’s APAS Independence laboratory instrument (pictured). The funding from the Medical Future Fund through MTPConnect’s clinical translation and commercialisation medtech programme will support development of a new, smaller benchtop version of the APAS instrument,…

Varley Rafael closes in on Spike missile manufacture

Varley Rafael Australia (VRA) is continuing to develop capabilities and the supply chain to support Australian manufacture of the Israeli Spike fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile (pictured). The company, a joint venture between the Varley Group and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, are contracted by the Commonwealth to deliver Spike LR2 missiles to enable integration and acceptance…

First drive in H2X hydrogen power Warrego utility

By Peter Roberts in Amsterdam About 100 kilometres from Amsterdam in a workshop dedicated to vehicle electrification sits one of two unique hydrogen fuel cell-electric utility vehicles – Australian company H2X Global’s Warrego utility (pictured, below). The company converted two such vehicles based on Ford’s Ranger concurrently, one here in Holland and a second at…

Decarbonisation led by business, but there are roadblocks to progress

A study of Asia Pacific business leaders has found that industry leaders are proactively spearheading innovation in sustainability through investment in technologies, asset development, and distribution infrastructure at an accelerated speed. However the study, from data and sustainability business Hexagon, found many were being held back in moving to net zero emissions by adopting new…