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 –…

REDARC acquires electronic warfare company Asension

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…

Fleet Space shows two way voice and data communications

Satellite and space systems manufacturer Fleet Space Technologies has successfully demonstrated two-way voice and data (TVAD) satellite communications for the Australian Defence Force in support of the ASCEND2LEO satellite communication programme. Developed as part of a $6.4 million contract with Defence, Fleet Space’s TVAD demonstration included a full duplex satellite communications system, enabling two-way voice…

3ME shines in defence energy strategy

Vehicle electrification company 3ME Technology has added its support to the Defence Future Energy Strategy and Defence Net Zero Strategy released last month. The strategies outlined ways to reduce emissions and decrease the environmental impact of Defence’s activities, with initial action concentrating on the Defence estate. The strategy and associated implementation plan for energy transition…

CSIRO’s nanofibre military uniform revealed

CSIRO researchers have successfully developed a next-generation uniform prototype that employs nanofibres to safeguard Australian troops from chemical and biological threats. The innovative material is a lightweight fabric that effectively filters out harmful particles while remaining light-weight and breathable, keeping the wearer comfortable in extreme temperatures. CSIRO Manufacturing Research Unit Director Dr Marcus Zipper said…

Ghost Shark autonomous submarine to be manufactured in Sydney

The federal government has delivered on its promise of more rapid defence decision making, accelerating the manufacture of the Ghost Shark underwater autonomous vehicle for undersea surveillance, reconnaissance and strike at a new factory to be built in Australia. The government has already spent $90 million along with Anduril Industries developing the very large autonomous…

Towards 3% R&D – a national business R&D action plan by Dr John Howard

Today we conclude our editorial series – Towards 3% R&D – Turbocharging Australia’s Innovation Effort – in which @AuManufacturing has exposed the issues eroding Australian R&D. In this edited excerpt Dr John Howard proposes A National Business R&D Strategy and Action Plan. Download the full paper at the foot of this article. The structure of…