The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Warren Snowdon, has announced the successful submissions for the Round 15 Defence Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program.
The selected proposals are:
1. Nanoparticle-Hydrophone Development – Phoenix Engineering Systems Pty Ltd with Thales Australia
2. Active Pulse Analysis System (APAS) – Sonartech Atlas
3. Integrated Power System for Dismounted Combat – Tectonica Australia Pty Ltd with Australian National University and CSIRO.
4. Pegasus Aircraft Buoyancy System – L-3 Nautronix with AADI Defence Pty Ltd
5. Integration of EO/Laser Space Object Tracking Capability – EOS Space Systems Pty Ltd with Northrop Grumman International.
DMTC would like to congratulate Tectonica Australia on the success of their CTD proposal: Integrated Power System for Dismounted Combat. Tectonica recently pledged its support to DMTC’s new program Personnel Survivability, which will focus on other associated areas of technology development. Congratulations also go to Thales Australia, who continues to be a core participant in a number of DMTC projects. It is understood that Thales will provide Acoustic Engineering and Testing Capabilities support to the Nanoparticle-Hydrophone Development CTD project which will be led by Phoenix Engineering Systems.
DMTC’s inaugural Students Conference, held on the 22nd and 23rd of August, has been a huge success, with students already calling for another event to be held next year. The conference provided the opportunity for DMTC supported PhD students to present their research to industry and research organisation peers and to share their ideas and experiences with fellow students. In all, 22 students presented their research, covering the full breadth of research areas currently being undertaken by DMTC. Over 40 supervisors, peers and delegates from industry attended.
Attendees at the DMTC Students Conference
DMTC’s recently retired founding Chairman, Dr Peter Preston, gave an inspirational presentation to the students, with a message to not limit their field of expertise in the rapidly changing environment, and to aim high in their research goals.
The Best Presentation Award was given to Cameron Barr from the University of Melbourne for his presentation on ‘Severe Plastic Deformation of Aluminium Bronzes for Marine Applications’. Cameron has been involved with DMTC’s Education Program since inception, and continues to contribute to the pool of knowledge being generated through the program. Cameron started his involvement in DMTC projects when he was an undergraduate student, and with the support of DMTC, has continued through to undertake a PhD. He is an outstanding example of how ongoing support can lead to the development of indigenous expertise.
Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) has been successful in its proposal to the Federal Government to undertake a new program focusing on Personnel Survivability. Minister for Defence the Hon Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel the Hon Jason Clare today announced that the Government has approved the Personnel Survivability program, which is now expected to commence later this year.
Personnel Survivability is a new 5 year program which will deliver a range of improved materials, manufacturing processes and technology solutions to enhance the operational effectiveness and survivability of Australian Defence personnel. The program aims to reduce the burden to personnel by decreasing the weight, bulk and cognitive awareness of the equipment being worn while maintaining or increasing the level of protection enabling them to perform their duties with minimal hindrance.
Focusing on improving the mobility, survivability and sustainability factors that affect personnel, Personnel Survivability will contribute to saving lives and increasing operational effectiveness of Australian Defence personnel. Areas of research will include:
– Ballistic, Blast and Flash Protection – Signature Reducing Activities – Environmental Threats – Utility, Fit and Comfort – Human Systems and Injury Modelling – Integration with Mounted Operations
This research will further enhance the work being undertaken by the Integrated Solider Systems group (also known as Diggerworks) within the Defence Materiel Organisation.
In addition to the benefits to Defence personnel, this Program will contribute to the further development of Australia’s defence industry and the enhancing of indigenous industrial, commercial and academic defence capabilities.
The federal Government will provide in excess of $9 million towards the program through the Defence Materiel Organisation and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, with the sector already committing in excess of $11 million.
DMTC CEO, Dr Mark Hodge is delighted with the news: “this represents a significant outcome for the broader defence sector, including of course the companies and research sector organisations that committed their support to the bid. We’re most grateful for the support and commitment of our partner organisations, and of course that of Defence, which was the final piece of the puzzle, allowing each party to leverage contributions from the others through DMTC’s collaborative business model.”
Personnel Survivability will be managed by DMTC using the successful collaborative model currently used for existing DMTC programs.
Established by the Federal Government as the first Defence Future Capability Technology Centre (DFCTC), DMTC focuses on delivering new materials technologies and manufacturing processes to Australia’s defence industry which will in turn enhance industry’s ability to supply high priority products and services to Defence. By acting as the link to industry in developing capabilities that are relevant to Defence requirements the DMTC model enables Defence and industry to work together to address critical capability issues while preserving Defence’s need to remain objective in procurement and tendering processes.
The addition of Personnel Survivability to the programs already being run by the DMTC confirms the relevance of DMTC in linking Defence requirements to the development of indigenous commercial opportunities. DMTC has become a resource for industry to understand how its ideas and capabilities can fit with Defence requirements and for the transitioning of these capabilities to commercial reality.
Tony Quick commented that “DMTC is demonstrating the delivery of research and development to meet defence needs across a number of program areas and we all look forward to making a real impact in this critical area.”
DMTC invites further interest from the sector to participate in the program. The Program will be operated in a similar manner to DMTCs existing programs, and requires co-investment from partners. Exact funding will be decided on a case by case basis.
For further information please email personnelsurvivability@dmtc.com.au or phone: (03) 9214 4447.
To view the joint media release from Minister for Defence the Hon Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel the Hon Jason Clare click here.
