Downer Defence Systems (DDS) has partnered with Urban Circus, EPE, and Boeing offshoot Insitu Pacific to develop the autonomous Muskito military vehicle (pictured). DDS has been announced as prime systems integrator for the velicle, a Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) concept that will use autonomous systems and machine learning. Once an explosive threat is detected,…
Disruptions to export logistics chains hit Canberra defence, space and communications manufacturer Electro Optic Systems in December. The company told investors today that planned shipments in December exceeded any other month, making ‘the outcome for the full year unusually dependent on activity in the final weeks of December. “The affected revenue, for which costs had…
A team from RMIT has developed a method to make concrete with improved strength out of recycled materials, and is seeking precast concrete manufacturers to test prototypes.
Bootmaker RM Williams will reshore those parts of its manufacturing operations currently overseas, according to media reports. The AFR reported iron ore billionaire Andrew Forrest as saying he would spend ‘whatever it takes’ to return 35 per cent of production currently overseas to our shores. RM Williams makes its iconic bushman’s boots and belts at…
Australia’s Sentient ViDAR system has won a contract for test and development by global defence giant Lockheed Martin for rotary intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. The program opens the door to export opportunities and integration with the company’s Sikorsky MH-60R & Lockheed Martin sensor suites. Locally developed by Melbourne’s Sentient Vision, Sentient ViDar (Visual…
China’s punitive tariffs on Australian wine have slashed wine exports to the middle kingdom to a trickle. Australian makers sent only $3.5 million worth of wine to China in December, down from $162.9 million in October according to figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Red wine exports fell from $159.9 million in October to…
The federal government is to spend up to $5 billion to build eight new mine hunter and hydrographic ships in Western Australia, more than the most recent promise of building three ships. The new ships add to the 45 small vessels already being built at the Henderson marine engineering area south of Perth at a…
Japanese trading giant Sumitomo Corporation is to add green hydrogen to its efforts to produce hydrogen in Australia for export to Asia, according to the company. The company will set up a production facility in Gladstone, Queensland with engineering company JGC Holdings to produce green hydrogen using small solar-powered electrolysers. Investment of $9.6 million will…
Adelaide outdoor blind manufacturer Ziptrack plans to boost innovation and production, including exports, from a new $10 million factory it is constructing at the Tonsley Innovation District. Construction of the new 3,000 square metre premises is underway with the company sourcing $1 million worth of equipment for the move to Tonsley, a mixed education, R&D…
Fortescue Metals Group founder Andrew Forrest stunned investors when he committed to massive investments in green hydrogen and green steel production in his recent Boyer lecture. Here is the full text of this landmark speech. The Boyer lectures are traditionally lectures – a speaker lecturing Australia about what it should do. I’ve chosen a different…
