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…
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…
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…
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 –…
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…
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…
Drone detection and countermeasure manufacturer DroneShield announced an $8.2 million repeat order this morning from a European defence customer. However, trading in the company’s shares on the ASX was then paused, pending a further announcement. DroneShield said that delivery of the latest order to a major European government agency was expected in the next three…
Electronics manufacturer REDARC has extended its defence businesses with the acquisition of electronic warfare specialist Asension which has been in voluntary administration. REDARC Defence & Space will continue Asension’s work at the forefront of electronic warfare, engineering, operations, and grow partnerships with universities, the Defence Science and Technology Group, and industry partners, according to an…
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…
Levett Engineering has been awarded a contract by Kongsberg Defence Australia (KDAu) for the manufacture and supply of Stacking Frames for the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) capability being delivered under Project SEA 1300 Phase 1 – Navy Guided Weapons. Elizabeth South, Adelaide-based Levett Engineering is a precision component manufacturer and part of the ASDAM Group…
