New multi-million dollar investments made by the Defence Innovation Hub will sustain 23 jobs across the Australian defence industry and innovation sector, it has been announced.
Five innovation contracts worth $5.3 million include $2.3 million for a BAE Systems Australia project to explore the potential use of laser technology to detect low intensity signals.
BAE Systems Australia is the first defence prime company to be awarded a contract by the Defence Innovation Hub since it was launched in December 2016 as part of the Defence Industry Policy Statement.
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The contracts awarded include:
| Organisation | Contract Value | Description of Innovation |
| BAE Systems (ACT) | $2.3 million | This project aims to explore the potential use of laser technology to detect low intensity signals. |
| Zangold (QLD) | $1 million | This project aims to develop a portable improvised explosive detector to assist with the detection of homemade explosives, chemical warfare agents, narcotics and gases. |
| Nova Defence (ACT) | $779,000 | To explore the development of a low-cost, high-speed direct mobile ground target that could be used as a realistic direct target for air and ground based defence systems. |
| Kul Technologies (VIC) | $770,000 | To explore the development of a more easily transportable and efficient modular hybrid power generation system. |
| Data61 (ACT) | $441,000 | To continue the development of their multi-award winning Cross Domain Desktop Compositor technology, allowing users to view and work across multiple Defence networks from a single monitor, while maintaining the integrity of each network. |
“Providing our troops with the latest in innovative defence technologies will ensure we remain resilient to these threats, and our defence industry plays a crucial part in helping us achieve this,” said Defence Industry minister Christopher Pyne.
“The Defence Innovation Hub is a key initiative of the Turnbull government bringing industry and Defence together to undertake collaborative innovation activities from concept through to introduction into service.”
