What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) The Army can fire weapons autonomously, but should they? The news was inevitable in a way, writes Peter Roberts. The Army has confirmed that it has fired a weapon system at a simulated enemy remotely from an…
The Australian Army has confirmed that it test fired a weapon system from an autonomous uncrewed armoured vehicle during exercises. The Australian-first test firing was carried out by the Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation & Coordination Office (RICO) during a human-machine team demonstration at Puckapunyal, Victoria. During the demonstration, RICO tested a range of…
Australian laser systems manufacturer Norseld has acquired the photonics capabilities of BAE Systems Australia, at the same time taking over contracts for key defence platforms. The photonics acquisition complements Norseld’s existing capabilities in medical laser and diamond coating for a range of industries including medical, optics, defence and space sectors. Norseld CEO Peter Shute (pictured)…
The federal government will build an Aircraft Coating Facility at Newcastle Airport in regional NSW to maintain the stealth of Australia’s fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft (pictured), as well as allied aircraft. At Australia’s first dedicated coating facility, a specialised paint will be applied to the aircraft to ensure they are virtually invisible to…
BAE Systems Australia turned 70 this month, making it one of Australia’s oldest, largest and fastest growing defence manufacturers. Here Ben Hudson reflects on the contribution of the defence sector in Australia to national security and prosperity. All too often I believe we have made a point of focusing on major programme challenges, without reflecting…
PepsiCo to trial hydrogen-powered truck PepsiCo Australia has launched its first hydrogen-powered prime mover, supplied by Pure Hydrogen, the company announced on Thursday. PepsiCo said this was a first in the FMCG sector and in its global operations. Pure Hydrogen will supply a hydrogen fuel cell-powered 160 kilowatt 6 x 4 prime mover for a…
BAE Systems Australia has purchased Radio Frequency Systems (Australia), taking control of a key partner in the modernisation of Australia’s Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN, pictured) and other critical defence projects. The decision to buy the company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Radio Frequency Systems (Germany), came as that company planned to move out of…
Marine systems manufacturer VEEM has signed an agreement with Singapore shipbuilder Strategic Marine for the exclusive use of VEEM gyrostabilisers in the vessels it constructs. VEEM manufacturers stabilisers for the global luxury motor yacht, fast ferry, commercial workboat and defence sectors at its Perth facility. Under the agreement, VEEM will supply its VG70, VG100 and…
The Hunter Class Frigate Program has advanced to the next phase with the prototype phase far advanced and the construction of the first Hunter production ship block now started. According to a statement from shipbuilder BAE Systems Australia, the development demonstrated the progress underway at the Osborne Naval Shipyard which was newly constructed by the…
CSIRO and university and industry partners are testing an Australian-made CyanoSat hyperspectral imager which was recently launched into low Earth orbit on board a Skykraft satellite. Canberra-based Skykraft has had a number of satellites launched this year forming part of a constellation of Air Traffic Management satellites, with the latest launched two days ago. The…