WA launches AUKUS defence readiness fund
Western Australia’s government has launched a $2 million fund to help WA businesses break into the US and UK defence supply chains.
Vic gov boosts defence industry with Rolls-Royce partnership
The Victorian government has signed a MoU with Rolls-Royce to strengthen the state’s defence industry skills and supply chain.
Space Machines Company opens Australia’s largest spacecraft manufacturing facility
Space Machines Company and the University of Technology Sydney announced on Tuesday the creation of Australia’s largest industrial-scale spacecraft manufacturing facility at UTS Tech Lab in Sydney. The Optimus Factory (OF-01) will feature an additional 800-square-metre spacecraft production space and house Australia’s largest satellite Assembly, Integration and Test cleanroom. The facility represents a co-investment from…
3D printing wizards AML3D land £450k UK defence deal with BAE
Adelaide’s metal 3D printing pioneers AML3D are taking their Aussie-made tech expertise to British shores, securing an $830,000 contract with defence giant BAE Systems. In an announcement released to the ASX on Tuesday, AML3D revealed it will source 8.5 tonnes of Nickel Aluminium Bronze wire feedstock for BAE as part of a material feasibility program—enough…
Aurora Labs completes next-gen micro gas turbine for drone market
Aurora Labs has completed the design, build and test phase of its AU4 micro gas turbine engine, paving the way for commercialisation by mid-202. The 40 kilogram thrust engine, designed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), leverages 3D printing technology to achieve significant advances in lightweighting, parts consolidation, fuel efficiency and simplified assembly. “Our mission is…
Austal raises $200 million to expand US naval shipbuilding capacity
Australian shipbuilder Austal announced a A$200 million institutional placement on Monday to fund expansion of its Alabama shipyard, positioning the company for growth in US defence contracts. The capital raising will partly finance the Final Assembly 2 (FA2) infrastructure project at Austal’s Mobile facility, a strategic site for the US Navy. The expansion includes a…
K-Tig changes direction, buys metal powder technology
Rapid welding technology developer K-Tig is changing its direction, acquiring 100 percent of US-based Metal Powder Works, which has developed the DirectPowder Process which converts premium bar stock into high-quality powder. K-Tig, which is in voluntary administration, said the process achieved yields of 95 percent compared to 20-30 percent from traditional powder production methods, resulting…
Airspeed test flies supersonic target prototype
Aerospace composite manufacturer Airspeed has successfully completed its first captive carry flight test of a supersonic target prototype onboard its Marchetti S211 R&D platform (pictured). The company, based at Mawson Lakes, Adelaide recently celebrated the project milestone, in a major step towards strengthening Australia’s sovereign aerospace capability. The customised prototype – known as Irukandji –…
Austal to continue to maintain US Navy LCS vessels
The US Navy has exercised $74.4 million (US$48 million) of additional options under a previously awarded contract for shipbuilder Austal to perform maintenance on Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) deployed to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and regional countries. The original 2021 contract to maintain the vessels was for US$72.5m to perform the sustainment works, with…
Aurora Labs secures defence contract for aircraft turbine
Additive manufacturer Aurora Labs has received an order from the Department of Defence to 3D print a micro gas turbine aircraft engine. The order, valued at $319,000, demonstrates the company’s growing role in enhancing sovereign capabilities through cutting-edge additive manufacturing technologies, according to an announcement. It builds upon the ongoing development of A3D’s existing range…