Flinders Uni, NUWC Division Newport sign R&D partnership

Flinders University announced what it says is “a history-making partnership” as the first Australian university to link up with a key United States Navy research centre, under a new agreement with Naval Undersea Warfare Centre Division Newport.

Flinders announced the Cooperative Research and Development agreement (CRADA) in a statement on Monday, heralding it as progressing for collaborative research between the United States and Australia in undersea technology.

The agreement opened opportunities for its researchers to “develop rapid solutions, future partnerships, skills exchange, and opportunities for impactful on-site training” related to undersea technology, in contribution to shared Australian and US interests.

“Flinders is proud to be at the forefront of advancing submarine defence capabilities in Australia. This landmark collaboration reinforces Flinders’ position as a global leader in underwater technologies and underscores our dedication to innovative research,” said Flinders President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Colin Stirling. 

Defence agency NUWC Division Newport is headquartered in Rhode Island, has over  3,500 employees, a budget over US$1.5 billion, and operations in West Palm Beach, Florida, and Andros Island in the Bahamas.

SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said that though ships and submarines were expected to deliver thousands of jobs, this went further than just cutting steel.

“This research partnership is exactly what we’re seeking — more highly educated South Australians doing more complicated and interesting work in a way that builds the overall complexity of our economy,” he said.

“I congratulate Flinders University on its leadership in seizing on the opportunity presented to our state by the AUKUS partnership.

Picture: Deputy Premier Susan Close, Stirling and Malinauskas (credit Flinders)