Dr John Best has been elected to the Board of DMTC Ltd at the company’s recent Annual General Meeting.
Dr Best is the Vice President of Technology, Research & Development at Thales Australia (formerly ADI Ltd), which is a Core Participant of DMTC.
DMTC’s Chairman, Dr Peter Preston, welcomed Dr Best to the Board, saying his extensive technology development experience in defence industry and the broader defence sector would provide valuable strategic input to the Board of Directors.
Dr Preston also paid tribute to retiring Board Member, Mr Fred Eske, AM, for his strategic leadership not only on the Board of Directors, but also during the process of developing the DMTC concept and throughout its establishment in 2008. Mr Eske will continue to be intimately involved in DMTC activities through project activities.
Dr Best is the Vice President of Technology, Research & Development at Thales Australia (formerly ADI Ltd). Dr Best joined ADI Limited in 2003 and was appointed to his current role upon the formation of Thales Australia. He has overall responsibility for the technical capability of the company, which encompasses technical strategy, research and development, innovation, engineering process, engineering development and technical audits. Dr Best joined ADI following a 15-year career with the Defence Science and Technology Organisation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in Physics from the University of Queensland, a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Wollongong and an MBA from the University of Adelaide.
Posted by DMTC on December 3rd, 2009 SMEs can now join the Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC) as Associate Members, with the introduction of a new program.
The Associate Membership Program provides a new level of involvement for companies interested in DMTC’s development of new materials and manufacturing technologies for use in Defence industries.
DMTC’s Associate Program Membership will be given for one year (renewable) upon signing of the Associate Membership Agreement, which includes non-disclosure clauses, and payment of the annual membership fee of $5,000.
Joining DMTC as an Associate Member unlocks the following benefits:
- Associate Members will receive a regular review of the DMTC technical program and activities (subject to certain conditions) and will be given the opportunity to offer comments and suggestions on research and development work.
- Associate Members will be invited to the annual DMTC member’s conference and workshop, which includes a special session for SMEs as well as a speed networking session and conference dinner.
- Associate Members will be offered first right of refusal in developing special projects which could fall into the Best Practice category of the DMTC SME Development Program and which could receive additional support and funding from DMTC.
- Associate Members will be offered first right of refusal for commercialising developed IP subject to certain conditions.
- Associate Members will be invited to all DMTC Research Seminars and will be allowed to participate and benefit from the DMTC Education Program.
- Associate Members will receive DMTC newsletters and any other official DMTC communications, and Associate Member companies will be listed in official DMTC publications.
- DMTC senior personnel will visit Associate Members at mutually convenient times in order to discuss future programs, business opportunities and/or give technical presentations.
- The Centre will offer assistance in developing partnerships to enable small companies to work together on larger tasks. Where sufficient interest exists, DMTC will establish Special Interest Groups to enable Associate Members to share experience and interests with Core and Supporting Participants.
- Special rates will be offered for attendance at DMTC organised and/or sponsored workshops and training programs.
Companies wishing to have greater involvement in DMTC may upgrade their membership with approval from the DMTC Board.
For further information please contact information@dmtc.com.au
Posted by DMTC on December 2nd, 2009 The Australian Government has approved acquisition of the first batch of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) aircraft as foreshadowed in the 2009 Defence White Paper, the Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, announced today.
There has been considerable public interest in the potential acquisition of the F-35 JSF. The Government examined the JSF’s capabilities very carefully in the context of the Air Combat Capability Review and 2009 Defence White Paper deliberations, and remains confident that the JSF’s combination of stealth, advanced sensors, networking and data fusion capabilities, when integrated into the networked Australian Defence Force (ADF), will ensure Australia maintains its strategic capability advantage out to 2030.
The Government has approved acquisition of the first 14 Conventional Take-Off and Landing (CTOL) Joint Strike Fighters and infrastructure and support required for initial training and testing, at an estimated cost of $3.2 billion.
“Approval of this first batch of JSF aircraft is evidence of the Rudd Government’s strong commitment to defence and our commitment to implementing the Defence White Paper,” Senator Faulkner said.
Approval of the next batch of aircraft and all necessary support and enabling capabilities, sufficient to establish three operational squadrons and a training squadron of CTOL JSF, will be considered in 2012. This will fulfil our White Paper commitment to acquire three operational squadrons comprising not fewer than 72 aircraft.
“By 2012, Defence will have much firmer cost estimates for the remaining aircraft and necessary support and enabling capabilities as part of the planned first multi-year buy that is expected to comprise over 1000 aircraft for the US, Australia and other partners. This will allow for much more effective planning of the final JSF acquisition in the context of the overall Defence Capability Plan,” Senator Faulkner said.
Acquisition of an additional operational squadron – bringing the total number of JSF aircraft to around 100 – will be considered at a later date in conjunction with a decision on the withdrawal of the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
Australia’s first JSF aircraft will be delivered in the United States in 2014 to commence initial training and test activities. Australia’s first operational squadron will be based at Royal Australian Air Force Base Williamtown, and is planned to be ready for operations in 2018. All three operational squadrons are planned to be in service in 2021.
The decision follows many years of unprecedented evaluation and planning by all nine countries involved in the JSF’s development.
“Defence has done more analysis on this platform than any other platform in the acquisition history of the ADF,” Senator Faulkner said.
Chief of the Air Force, Air Marshal Mark Binskin said: “The JSF acquisition will allow Australia to maintain its regional air combat superiority. It will also enable Australia to effectively contribute to regional security and enhances opportunities for interoperability and commonality to support future coalition operations.”
To date, 25 Australian companies have won approximately US$200 million in the development and early production phase of the JSF. As Australia and other countries commit to JSF acquisition, significantly increased opportunities for Australian industry will open up, as agreed in the Industry Participation Plan with Lockheed Martin and its JSF industry partners.
Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, Greg Combet said: “Government and Industry will need to continue to work together as JSF Team Australia to maximise benefits for Australian industry in the JSF Program in the face of stiff international competition. Consideration of acquisition of the next batch of aircraft in 2012 will provide Government the opportunity to review Lockheed Martin’s progress on implementing the Industry Participation Plan.
“It is important that where Australian companies offer value for money, Lockheed Martin and its JSF industry partners give fair consideration to Australian industry,” Minister Combet said.
The Government’s acquisition decision will also allow Lockheed Martin and its JSF industry partners to establish formal relationships with Australian industry to meet Australia’s defence self reliance requirements in supporting the JSF.
“Our commitment to the JSF will allow Australian industry to become integrated into the global JSF support system, ensuring our aircraft are supported in the most cost effective way. Commitment to the JSF also opens up opportunities for Australian industry to contribute to regional and global support of the JSF,” Minister Combet said.
The Program Manager, Air Vice-Marshal John Harvey said: “This acquisition decision cements our commitment to the JSF Program and our commitment to the US and other international partners to make the JSF Program a great success.”
Source: Ministerial press release
Posted by DMTC on November 26th, 2009