USQ research joins Defence Industry Security Program

University of Southern Queensland defence industry research efforts have been granted membership to the federal government’s Defence Industry Security Program (DISP).

Membership signals USQ’s strong capability to meet the national and international security requirements of Australia’s defence industry supply chain, according to a statement.

DISP provides non-military organisations with a framework for working securely with defence assets and information, with USQ looking to work in areas including hypersonic propulsion systems, rocket fuel development, astrophysics, machine vision and advanced materials.

Professor Peter Schubel of USQ’s Institute for Advanced Engineering and Space Sciences said the membership would allow a deeper level of industry engagement for defence research projects.

Professor Schubel said: “DISP membership will promote greater collaboration between the University and defence entities in research programs, as well as facilitate greater cooperation with private industry within Australia and allied nations.

“We possess forward-thinking research capabilities that are attractive to the defence industry, including composites manufacturing, astronomical observatories, artificial intelligence and more.”

USQ is the site of unique infrastructure and equipment, including the Mount Kent Astronomical Observatory, a long duration hypersonic wind tunnel and rocket laboratory, as well as one of Australia’s largest dedicated composite materials manufacturing and testing facilities.

Professor Schubel said: “Membership confirms our demonstrated strength in managing security risks, in-depth training and holistic security policies.”

Picture: University of Southern Queensland

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