D+I 2007: 100 Years of Defence Science in Australia

1 August 2007

By Gregor Ferguson

DSTO Timeline
1907 – Cecil Napier Hake appointed Chemical Adviser to the Commonwealth Department of Defence (Australia’s first Defence scientist). Hake conducts his research from the Victorian Government Explosives Department Laboratory in Flinders Lane Melbourne

1910 – A dedicated Commonwealth Chemical Adviser’s Laboratory (Australia’s first Defence Science Laboratory) begins operation in the bluestone guardhouse at the south entrance of Victoria Barracks in Melbourne

1912 – The manufacture of explosives begins at the new Maribyrnong Factory

1916 – The Chemical Adviser’s Laboratory is relocated from Victoria Barracks to Maribyrnong closer to the centre of explosives production

1939-40 – Aeronautical & Engine Research Test Laboratory established at Fishermans Bend

1940-41 – Salisbury Munitions Factory built in South Australia

1947 – Long Range Weapons Establishment (LRWE) comes into formal existence

1948 – Unmanned jet-propelled target plane prototype (Jindivik) developed

1949 – Arthur Wills’ pioneering study explains technique for determining aircraft fatigue lives

1952 – Heavy anti-tank wire-guided weapon system (Malkara) developed

1952 – ‘Wet’ electrophotographic process that became the basis of the modern photocopying industry invented and developed at Defence Standards Laboratories

1953 – Black box flight recorder invented

1959 – Government approval to develop Ikara, ship-borne long-range anti-submarine guided weapon

1959 – Fish-eye lens camera developed by Weapons Research Establishment for Jindivik trials

1960s – Nicrosil/nisil nickel-base alloy invented at Defence Standards Laboratory

1965 – Australia joins The Technical Cooperation Program

1964 – Work starts on Barra sonobuoy system to detect submarines

1967 – Design work on Australia’s first satellite, WRESAT launched at Woomera

1970s – Development of first electron-beam-controlled carbon dioxide laser, first continuous wave laser operating at atmospheric pressure, and first laser using plasma injection

1970 – Jindalee high frequency over-the horizon radar becomes core DSTO research project for surveillance across Australia’s north

1972 – Pioneering research begins on composite bonded repair technology for aircraft.

1973 – The Federation Aeronautique Internationale award for inventing T-VASIS aircraft landing system

1974 – As a result of Defence restructuring, the Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO) is created by integrating the Australian Defence Scientific Service, the in-house R&D units of the Armed Services and the Science Branch of the Department of Defence

1975 – Official transfer of all Defence R&D activities to DSTO in the Department of Defence

1978 – Laser Airborne Depth Sounder developed for mapping seabed

1979 – Navy accepts prototype Mulloka sonar system as operational unit

1980s – DSTO develops Seamark, marine dye marker for search and rescue at sea

1981 – Nulka hovering rocket motor developed

1991 – DSTO involved in first UN Special Commission weapons inspection team to Iraq

1992 – Invention of Starlight computer security system

1993 – DSTO developed Australian Mine Sweeping Systems enters service with the Navy

1993–2003 – DSTO plays significant role in the ‘get well’ and ‘fast track’ programs for the Collins Class submarines

1996 – DSTO enters licenses Telstra to commercialise its high frequency surface wave radar system

1996 – Shapes Vector system to detect intrusions into computer networks invented

2001 – DSTO and RAAF awarded Von Karman Award for the F/A-18 Hornet fatigue project

2006 – DSTO and US Air Force sign a $70 million agreement to advance research in hypersonic flight

2006 – DSTO celebrates 50 years of defence science in Sydney

2007 – DSTO celebrates 100 years of defence science in Australia