Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Codan completes the acquisition of Kägwerks Communications and metal detection manufacturer Codan, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Codan US Inc, has completed the acquisition of 100 percent of US-based organisation SKT2 LLC dba Kägwerks (Kägwerks). Kägwerks is a leader in tactical operator-worn networking communications technologies that enable connectivity and integrated secure networking in a military…

Babcock launches Melbourne defence engineering hub

Defence engineering firm Babcock Australasia has launched a new International Engineering & Technology Hub in Melbourne, as part of increased research and development efforts including projects under the AUKUS pact. The $3.5 million Abbotsford facility will drive engineering initiatives supporting Babcock’s global operation and is designed as a collaborative environment for engineers and technologists to…

GME, Hanwha to develop defence communications systems

Australian electronics manufacturer GME is linking with Korea’s Hanwha Defence Australia (HDA) and Hanwha Systems through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that brings together leading command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C4I) capabilities . Signed at the annual Military Communications and Information Systems (MilCIS) Conference in Canberra, the agreement will see the three parties working…

Codan enters US with communications acquisition

Defence communications and metal detection manufacturer Codan Group is expanding into the United States with the acquisition of 100% of US-based networking communications specialist SKT2 LLC dba Kägwerks (Kägwerks). The acquisition, made through subsidiary Codan US Inc., is valued at $33.6 million together with royalty payments for five years post-closing based on agreed annual sales…

Insitec, Electrotech merge to form SCG

IT company Insitec and communications and maritime navigation equipment supplier Electrotech Australia have announced their merger, forming a new defence industry entity named Sovereign Capability Group (SCG). According to Jim Bancroft, Chief Growth Officer at Insitec, the move positions SCG as a new local prime systems integrator. “I believe our trusted relationships and strong reputation…

L3Harris opens electronic warfare centre of excellence

Defence manufacturer L3Harris Technologies launched a Centre of Excellence (COE) for Electronic Warfare (EW) today in Brisbane which will design, manufacture, integrate and sustain high-reliability EW technology critical for modern military operations. The Queensland Assistant Minister for Treasury, Trade and Investment Jennifer Howard (pictured) and Graham Perrett, a Member of the Joint Standing Committee on…

Breakthrough Victoria invests in silicon chip company MILLIBEAM

Breakthrough Victoria is investing $3 million in fabless semiconductor company MILLIBEAM, aiming to accelerate the development and global adoption of millimetre wavelength (mmWave) radio chipsets for 5G/6G communications networks. The investment from Breakthrough Victoria will significantly bolster MILLIBEAM’s operations in Melbourne, with the company planning to hire an additional four specialised systems engineers and five…

Boeing to apply local communications systems to defence

Boeing has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to deliver the deployed communications elements of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) next generation Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) under project AIR6500. Drawing on the technology developed for the Currawong Battlespace Communications System, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) will deliver hardware and software for voice and…

Skykraft celebrates anniversary of satellite ATC network

Satellite communications manufacturer Skykraft has celebrated the one year anniversary of the launch of five Skykraft-3 satellites on the 13th of June 2023. The satellites have paved the way for the company to roll out its space-enabled VHF communications and ADS-B surveillance system for Air Traffic Management with operational service commencing in late 2026, according…