Perth shipbuilder Austal is to commence planning, modification, and test and evaluation of autonomous and remotely operated systems, using as a test bed a de-commissioned Royal Australian Navy patrol boat. Austal has taken possession of former Armidale-class Patrol Boat (ACPB), the former HMAS Maitland, from the Commonwealth for its Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT) in…
The federal government has called for input to help it shape a National Quantum Strategy to strengthen Australia’s position as a centre in quantum research and applied technology. The strategy aims to ensure Australia seizes the opportunity that quantum presents and envision a thriving quantum industry at the forefront of technological innovation. Australian governments have…
Australia’s potential for cheap renewable power gives us a chance to become a battery manufacturing power, but we won’t on current policy settings. Here Phil Toner and Roy Green review the inaction of the past few years and argue Australia cannot afford to miss this opportunity. By Phil Toner & Roy Green* Is it too…
Today @AuManufacturing’s special editorial series Land Forces 2022 turns to the AUKUS agreement and the new focus on collaboration it has spawned. Here, Michael McLean explains how a grass roots industry board that he chairs, is bringing together leading industry advisors and management consultants from New Zealand, UK and USA to collaborate and support AUKUS.…
Today in our special editorial series Land Forces 2022, we turn to the key role of the companies and institutions that make up the defence industry sector in supporting national security. Here Andrew Gresham looks at defence industry as an instrument of national power. To understand the Australian defence industry’s role as an instrument of…
Australian science and industry leader Dr Katherine Woodthorpe has been named the next President of Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. A chemist, Dr Woodthorpe is a leading company director and has been instrumental in guiding numerous science and technology businesses and public sector research organisations. Dr Woodthorpe said she was honoured to have been…
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has announced $1.5 million in funding to Spinifex Offshore Wind Farm to back its study the potential for a 1,000 MW offshore wind farm project off the coast of Portland, Victoria to power the local smelter. Spinifex, a subsidiary of Alinta Energy, will conduct a wind resource assessment and…
IoT satellite connectivity company Myriota has linked with solar powered pump manufacturer Grundfos to launch a range of satellite-connected, solar-powered water pumps for livestock farming. In what the companies call a ‘works anywhere you can see the sky’ solution, they plan to enable easy remote monitoring of water pumps and tanks, significantly decreasing the time,…
As part of our special editorial series Land Forces 2022, we turn to the realities of any future conflict, and the deficiencies of our maintenance, repair, and operations capabilities guarding Northern Australia. Here Dr Peter Layton spells out our Northern Australian defence infrastructure imperatives. The latest Defence Strategic Review reports back in early 2023. While…
Ampcontrol Group is set to create more than 200 manufacturing roles across Australia by the end of 2023 as they scale up their operations in response to winning major contracts with a total value of $41 million with BHP and Western Power. Ampcontrol company CPS National has been named a key delivery partner for the…