The federal government is trumpeting forward spending commitment’s for defence passing the $300 billion mark, following the release of the Defence Innovation Hub’s latest contracts. While there are question marks over the future affordability of this outlay, it represents a massive push to replace a huge range of defence equipment since the coalition came to…
Our editorial series – Equipping Australia’s armed forces – ends today where we began two weeks ago – looking at the benefits for SMEs of meeting the stringent demands of defence prime contractors. Here Peter Roberts profiles Novafast International. BAE Systems Maritime Australia is working around the clock to commission one of the world’s first…
Australia needs a fundamental change in its approach to innovation and exports to capitalise on the government’s $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative, according to the scheme’s chief architect Andrew Liveris, who says the federal policy should guide an overhaul of the national economy.
By Peter Roberts The pieces are beginning to fall into place for the production of mRNA vaccines in Victoria, and possibly Queensland. Driven by the success of the first vaccine’s developed using the novel technology by Pfizer and Moderna, both states are backing local mRNA technology development, with Victoria in April committing $50 million. A…
Analysis by Peter Roberts For a very long time now in Australia it has been possible to get venture capital for a yet-another gold mine or some fintech app. But when manufacturing innovators go looking for capital, other than a few angel investors, the cupboard has been bare – this despite us sitting on one…
It took a chance meeting between Cameron van den Dungen, founder of a start-up mattress company, and Madhu Bhaskaran, an engineering professor at RMIT University, to see an opportunity to collaborate and commercialise research.
In the final day of Australian Made Week and of @AuManufacturing’s editorial series – Celebrating Australian Made – we return to the issue of recycled plastic products. Helen Millicer looks about Mildura’s Integrated Recycling and its world-leading Duratrack project.
Abrasive blasting manufacturer Burwell Technologies has been working with shipbuilder BAE Systems Australia to test autonomous robotic blast systems that could be used to help automate construction of Hunter class frigates being built in Adelaide for the Royal Australian Navy. Burwell, which provided an autonomous robotic abrasive blast solution for the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is…
Funding from Australia and the United Kingdom has been revealed for a major research program to improve armour systems for the military. The UK Government announced a bilateral international program to accelerate the integration of advanced materials into military platforms. Funding covers integration of composites, adhesives for structural joining, joining high temperature structures and improving…
Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems is to establish a Centre of Excellence for Human and Machine Teaming in Melbourne that will drive the research, development and commercialisation of defence technologies. Elbit develops and supplies a range of specialist technology systems and products that use artificial intelligence, sensors, data and networks in the areas of defence…