The federal government today committed to two new Australian defence factories – one to manufacture Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS, pictured), and the second a new 155mm artillery ammunition forging plant. The government did not reveal the cost of the new plants, except to say they were part of the Guided Weapons and Explosive…
Lockheed Martin Australia and Thales Australia have signed a Teaming Agreement which could lead to the development and production of Solid Rocket Motors (SRM) for the Australian market. The purpose of the agreement is to collaborate, qualify and produce Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Solid Rocket Motors and other components in support of the…
The federal government has has identified a ‘fix’ for braking problems in 1,100 Hawkei military vehicles, with deliveries set to resume from manufacturer French group Thales according to media reports. ABC news reported that planning is underway to rollout the repaired Hawkei vehicles to the Australian Defence Force. The news comes after a protracted fix…
Defence minister Richard Marles has expressed his confidence in the defence procurement function following scathing criticism from the Auditor General of probity issues in a long-term contract for the supply of explosives and munitions. An official sought champagne and eventually went to work for the contractor, French group Thales, over a contract worth $1.2 billion,…
Faltering business expenditure on R&D is a major factor in Australia’s poor innovation performance. Today in our editorial series – Towards 3% R&D – Turbocharging Australia’s Innovation Effort – Dr John Howard identifies businesses’ failings. This is an edited excerpt (full paper link below). From 1981 to 1995, Australian businesses made steady progress in lifting…
A study just released by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency of gender pay gaps in companies found that women in the workforce are still badly treated, in fact very badly treated. The median gender pay gap in 5,000 companies studied on a base salary measure was found to be 14.5 per cent, while on a…
What were the five biggest stories of the year? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers revealed @AuManufacturing and the Australian Manufacturing Forum’s first quest to identify Australia’s 50 most innovative manufacturers ended in July, and a second iteration of the series kicked off last month. We learned…
Two leading Australian manufacturers with complementary technologies and client lists have entered into a manufacturing partnership – metal additive manufacturing company Titomic and diverse, vertically integrated company Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group. Titomic is a leader in producing cold spray metal 3D printers, while Adelaide’s Stärke is involved with tooling production locally and in the United…
The federal government has moved to ensure Australian-made steel will be used in the construction of Australia’s conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines when they are built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide, subject to a qualification process. The Australian Submarine Agency has entered into a contract with Australian steel manufacturer, Bisalloy Steels, for the qualification of Australian…
The University of Sydney has launched the Australian Robotic Inspection and Asset Management Hub (ARIAM) which researchers say will transform the way important assets are handled. ARIAM’s work will reduce the need for people to enter dangerous or hazardous locations to maintain assets such as tunnels and underwater infrastructure, according to an announcement. It will…
