Nine Australian businesses have been awarded Defence Innovation Hub contracts with a combined value of over $15.1 million to develop innovative technologies.
“The latest tranche of investments includes two contracts awarded to Australian universities and seven contracts with Australian businesses,” Minister for Defence Industry Senator Linda Reynolds said.
“A $5.4 million contract has been awarded to Western Sydney University to explore the application of advanced neuromorphic sensing technology to deliver detailed imaging capabilities to satellites. This technology has the potential to enhance satellite and space situational awareness capabilities."
Using biologically-inspired event-based cameras – cameras that function like the eye and brain to overcome limitations of cameras exposure times and saturation – WSU's Astrosite can capture objects in space with unprecedented temporal resolution, and during the day in real time.
“The University of Adelaide, has been awarded a $3 million contract to develop an active exhaust silencer for diesel engines. This technology has the potential to enhance the capability and operations of the ADF by reducing vehicle noise,” Senator Reynolds added.
A $3 million contract has also been awarded to DefendTex, a Victorian based business, to explore the application of sustained supercavitation technology to enhance Defence’s subsurface defensive capabilities through countering minefields and inbound torpedos.
The Defence Innovation Hub accepts proposals at all stages of innovation, from early concept exploration and testing through to advanced prototypes and evaluation.