Defence partnering for success – BAE ramps up the pace of innovation

Today we continue our sponsored series reporting on BAE Systems Australia’s Partnering for success defence industry supplier event, with a look at a new way of innovating which is speeding time to market in defence – normally a long, drawn out process.

Australia’s largest defence supplier BAE Systems Australia has moved to speed up the pace at which it develops and brings to market new products in response to an increasingly insecure regional security environment.

It has become clear that the multi-year timeframe for defence innovation is too slow given the government’s Defence Strategic Review‘s belief that Australia will no longer have a decade’s warning of any future conflict.

BAE Systems Director Red Ochre Autonomy & Sensors Kisa Christensen said the company’s Red Ochre laboratories, originally set up as a hub for R&D, has transformed itself.

“Under my watch, and in response to our customer’s need for speed to capability, we have pivoted to a decentralised R and D structure with a focus on little r and big D, with the aim of delivering a number of new platforms this year and next.”

A new approach, built around significant Australian innovation, has accelerated technology development into low cost products that deliver an asymmetric and force-multiplier effect capability, according to Christensen.

The company is reducing overall risks of innovation by nurturing a culture that supports ‘Failing-Fast’ and ‘Leaning Forward’ to make this all possible.

The development of the STRIX VTOL drone (pictured, below) is the first example to see the light of day. The concept for the drone was developed by BAE Systems in house before Defence announced a need for such a platform.

Christensen said: “Rather than waiting for a programme of record to respond to, we are moving at pace and are investing ahead of time based on the capability needs of our customers.

“We are really leaning in – and this requires a very different culture and operating model.

“…Sometimes it feels as if we are operating like a start-up company working from a blank canvas – which is actually quite a thrilling and exciting space to be in.”

Strix was introduced to SME partner, Western Australian company Innovaero, during an informal meeting, stunning the SME’s leadership – they were asked if a completely new drone platform could be developed in less than 12 months.

“The visiting delegation was blown away, believing the session was only about getting to know each other.

“Instead, they left the office that day with a plan, a schedule and a proposed budget potentially in the tens of millions.”

BAE’s internal funding model allowed the project to proceed much more quickly than if the company was involved in a time consuming back and forth with multiple defence stakeholders.

The approach of a small development group was to take a rapid prototyping and minimum viable product approach to bring STRIX to reality faster.

BAE Systems and Innovaero have created a fixed wing aircraft with four traditional front-facing rotors – based on the virtualisation of a tilt rotor mechanism such as that seen on a platform of the V-22 Osprey aircraft.

The first STRIX aircraft, capable of a 160kg payload over more than 800km, will be available to purchase in 2026.

But the innovation system it pioneered, is working on other ideas, according to Christensen.

“Over the next two years, BAE Systems will break cover on some key locally developed projects, where we will be building platforms alongside partners who bring a special capability.”

Further reading:
AUSTRALIA’S FIRST LOCALLY-DESIGNED AND MADE VTOL DRONE UNVEILED

Pictures: BAE Systems Australia/Kisa Christensen/STRIX VTOL drone

@AuManufacturing’s series Defence industry partnering for success is sponsored by defence sector prime contractor BAE Systems Australia.