Defence awards $14.6 millions-worth of Innovation Hub contracts
Defence has awarded eight innovation contracts worth $14.6 millions to Australian companies and research teams via the Defence Innovation Hub.
This comes on top of nearly $5 millions-worth of Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants for 11 recipients announced by Minister Price on 20 April.
The Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price MP, said, “The latest tranche of investments includes seven contracts awarded to small businesses from across Australia and a contract with University of Technology Sydney.
“These contracts will support the development of a range of technologies that span areas such as space, electronic warfare, and power generation to build a more advanced and capable Defence Force.”
Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems has won a $3.2 million contract to continue the development of an Electronic Support (ES) system. This has the potential to provide the Navy with a cost-effective system to automate warnings and determine the type and location of radar signals.
DEWC Systems has been awarded a $3.1 million contract to develop a sovereign, space tactical sensor system.SYPAQ Systems has won two contracts worth $4.9 million between them to develop a small, lightweight next-generation power generator for dismounted and vehicle-borne troops, and to continue development of a lightweight UAS with the potential to enhance situational awareness in complex and rapidly changing environments.
The Defence Innovation Hub was funded to the tune of $640 million in the 2016 Defence White Paper. It came into operation at the beginning of 2017 and has awarded over $200 million in innovation contracts to date, with more than 80 per cent of this investment flowing to small Australian businesses, according to Minister Price.
Contracts announced on 24 April under the Defence Innovation Hub:
| Organisation | State | Contract Value (GST incl.) | Description of innovation |
| Jenkins Engineering Defence Systems Pty Ltd (JEDS) | NSW | $3.2 million | To continue the development of its radar electronic support system. If successful, this innovative technology has the potential to provide the Navy with a cost-effective system to automate warnings and determine the type and location of radar signals. |
| DEWC Systems Pty Ltd | SA | $3.1 million | To develop a sovereign, space-based tactical sensor system. If successful, this technology will enhance the ADF’s space capability in the space domain. |
| SYPAQ Systems Pty Ltd | VIC | $2.7 million | To continue the development of a sophisticated, small, lightweight unmanned aerial system that has the potential to enhance situational awareness in complex and rapidly changing environments. |
| SYPAQ Systems Pty Ltd | VIC | $2.2 million | To develop a small, lightweight next generation power generator. If successful, this technology will be suitable for individual soldiers and vehicle?based forces, enhancing operational capacity through mobile power generation. |
| University of Technology Sydney | NSW | $1.2 million | To develop sensors and decoders which could allow for communication between human brains and robots. This technology has potential applications across multiple industries, including Defence capability, medical and bio-technology as well as education and training sectors. |
| Glia Diagnostics Pty Ltd | VIC | $1.1 million | To develop a medical test and sample collection device, that can be used to diagnose traumatic brain injury and concussion. This innovation could improve the diagnosis, triage and treatment outcomes for Defence personnel who may be impacted by traumatic brain injury. |
| Missions Systems Pty Ltd | NSW | $838,000 | To develop mine neutralisation technology which seeks to enhance the safety of ADF personnel in the maritime domain. |
| Imagine Intelligent Materials Ltd | VIC | $271,000 | To explore the application of advanced materials on military body armour. If successful, this technology could enhance the safety of Australian Defence Force members and reduce maintenance costs. |