NIOA joins Aerojet Rocketdyne in guided weapons

Australian-owned defence prime NIOA has signed an agreement with US rocket and hypersonics company Aerojet Rocketdyne to explore the manufacturing of critical guided weapons components in Australia. The agreement anticipates the future assembly and manufacture of rocket motors, boosters and warheads for munitions within the Aerojet Rocketdyne portfolio which covers a wide range of weapons…

Best of the week — the five most popular stories among @AuManufacturing’s readers, October 16 – 20, 2023

5) SA’s ambitious advanced manufacturing strategy South Australia has launched an ambitious Advanced Manufacturing Strategy that aims to grow the sector’s share of the economy from six to 10 percent, writes Peter Roberts. The strategy, launched by SA Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Dr Susan Close also aims to boost manufacturing’s…

NIOA produces first Boxer armoured vehicle ammunition

Queensland munitions manufacturer NIOA has begun production of 30mm ammunition for the Army’s next-generation armoured Boxer combat reconnaissance (CRV) vehicle, marking a new high for munitions manufacturing in Australia. The company will produce 40,000 rounds of medium calibre training ammunition at the Commonwealth Government-owned NIOA-operated plant in Benalla, Victoria for the eight-wheeled Boxer, which is…

NIOA installs ballistics data measurement technology

Australian owned munitions manufacturer NIOA has installed cutting edge ballistics data acquisition technology capable of measuring real-time projectile velocity and location at the company’s Brisbane range facility. NIOA Australia’s General Manager – Engineering Rudi Bekker said the technology was a gamechanger in weapon and ammunition performance testing, taking accuracy diagnostics to the next level. Bekker…

AMC and Victoria support guided weapons workforce

The Australian Missile Corporation and the Victorian government are to work together to enable a “ready and able” Victorian workforce to support Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise. Under an agreement between the parties, they intend prioritising local jobs, skills and training to accelerate Australia’s new smart munitions industry. The AMC is an…

Way open for Australian companies to enter US submarine supply chains – Pat Conroy

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has told industry that the way is open for Australian manufacturers to enter the supply chains of the United States’ submarine construction programme. Addressing the Australian Industry and Defence Network, he said the submarine project would deliver 20,000 jobs in the Australian economy, with the government investing $3 billion over…

Australia must enlist industry to deter conflict – Rob Nioa

Munitions manufacturer NIOA Group CEO Rob Nioa has attacked Australia’s continuing reliance on importing foreign weapons systems and called on the country to mobilise its industrial base to deter potential threats. The head of Australia’s biggest privately-owned supplier of munitions to the ADF said the consequences of outsourcing military production could be dire against a…