Eight innovative proposals have been selected this year to be developed through Round 14 of the Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program.
Fibre Optic Towed Array – Thales Australia
The aim of the Thales project is to demonstrate an anti-submarine warfare capability using a thin, lightweight fibre optic towed array system able to be fitted rapidly to all types of manned and unmanned surface vessels, including patrol boats and frigates.
Lightweight Fibre Reinforced Ceramic Inserts for Ballistic Armour – CSIRO Future Manufacturing Flagship
The aim of this CSIRO project is to demonstrate potential applications of advanced nano-ceramic particle reinforced fibrous matrix for improved body armour.
Current body armour based on ceramic inserts, Kevlar and other materials is heavy and hinders soldiers’ mobility and performance during combat operations.
Nano-ceramic materials reinforced with high-performance fibres have the potential to reduce the mass of ceramic inserts by 50 per cent and more.
Adaptive Exhaust Silencer for Submarine Engines – University of Adelaide
The aim of the University of Adelaide project is to develop an adaptive quarter-wave tube exhaust silencer that will tune itself automatically to attenuate tonal noise in the exhaust of a diesel generator.
Acoustic Vulnerability Assessment Command Tool (AVCAT) – L-3 Nautronix
The aim of the L-3 Nautronix project is to provide a system that will utilise acoustic signature measurements made for Defence maritime platforms and process them in conjunction with platform state, geographic, environmental and threat data to provide an assessment of the acoustic vulnerability of submarines and surface ships.
The system has the potential to enhance operational planning and tactical development.
Secure Portable Application Device to Support Network Centric Warfare – Secure Systems
The aim of the Secure Systems project is to demonstrate a security assurance system that could deliver a hardware-based security device to fixed secure and hastily formed locations.
It could provide Defence personnel with the ability to work on any systems with any classification of information.
Airborne UHF Transponder for Radio relaY (AUTRY) – RF Industries
The aim of the RF Industries project is to develop an enhanced UHF repeater, based on the existing AUTRY repeater, to provide range extension for Australian ground forces.
By providing a radio relay repeater at altitude, communications ranges can be extended significantly, no longer limited by terrain and other physical obstacles.
Content Based Image Search – Australian Centre for Visual Technologies
The aim of this University of Adelaide project is to demonstrate an application that recovers targets of similar appearance from a large imagery database once a target has been identified in an image.
It could ensure that limited human image search resources are applied more effectively.
Opto-Electronic Explosive Detection Unit (Cybernose) – CSIRO Entomology
The aim of this CSIRO project is to demonstrate an instrument that could perform non-contact, sensitive chemical detection and classification of explosives using signature chemical vapours.
Combined with existing engineering solutions, it could provide an effective standoff capability for Australian ground forces.