• Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Project transmitter site. Adelaide University aims to upgrade the overall performance of the JORN through a performance upgrade of its essential sub-systems. Credit: Defence
    Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) Project transmitter site. Adelaide University aims to upgrade the overall performance of the JORN through a performance upgrade of its essential sub-systems. Credit: Defence
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Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne has announced seven organisations will receive Commonwealth funding of $14.7 million to develop and demonstrate innovative technologies to enhance Defence capability. 

The grants will support Australian industry and universities to research and develop innovative technologies that have great potential for Defence application.

“The funding is being made available under Defence’s long-standing Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program, which continues to contribute to the Government’s Innovation strategy,” Minister Pyne said.

The seven technology proposals selected to receive funding include upgrading the overall performance of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), enabling crew to see and hear through armoured vehicles without vehicle noise interference, and rapid repair technology to reduce costs and improve aircraft maintenance.

Other proposals include increasing situational awareness in the maritime domain, improving performance of navigation systems, providing better certainty for intelligence analysis, and improving the stealth of submarines.

The successful proposals were submitted by Tectonica Australia, BAE Systems Australia, RUAG Australia, University of Adelaide, Australian National University, Agent Oriented Software, and PMB Defence Engineering.

“I am pleased that Defence encourages innovation from Australian organisations and I congratulate all those involved in submitting proposals to demonstrate solutions for defence capability” Mr Pyne said.

The following seven Australian organisations will receive Australian Government funding:

Tectonica Australia – Hear and See Through Armour (VIC)

Tectonica Australia will demonstrate a system that will enable an armoured vehicle crew to see and hear as though their vehicle is not there. Wearing virtual reality glasses with headphones, the user will see what is happening outside the vehicle and hear the direction of sounds relative to their head.

BAE Systems Australia Ltd – Maritime Composite RF Sensor Performance – Decision Support System (VIC)

BAE Systems proposes developing a Decision Support System to significantly enhance battlespace awareness in the maritime domain. The System aims to enable the warfighter at sea to make better decisions by combining the performance of available radars.

RUAG Australia – Laser Cladding Repair Technology (VIC)

RUAG proposes developing Laser Cladding technology to rapidly and readily repair corroded, worn and managed aircraft components. This will reduce the costs associated with aircraft maintenance and improve aircraft availability.

University of Adelaide – Ultra-High Quality Signal Generation for Over the Horizon Radar (SA)

Adelaide University aims to upgrade the overall performance of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), through a performance upgrade of its essential sub-systems. This will improve overall detection of targets.

Australian National University – Precision Inertial Navigation with Cold Atoms (ACT)

The ANU aims to improve the performance of inertial navigational systems in GPS denied or degraded situations. This technology can be applied in the maritime, land and air domains.

Agent Oriented Software Pty Ltd – Intelligent Battlespace Advisor (VIC)

Agent Oriented Software propose developing technology that acts as an advisor to intelligence analysts and operators that will augment their skills and provide an additional layer of certainty for the experienced operator.

PMB Defence Engineering Pty Ltd – Submarine Stealth Induction Mast (SA)

PMB Defence Engineering proposes to demonstrate a highly hydrodynamic mast for submarines to improve their stealth capability.

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