The DMMA program office in the space of less than six months has gone from a field of contenders of six teams to four.

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation recently completed a series of experiments to assess the effectiveness of the Bushmaster survivability upgrade kit.

The purpose of electronic support systems is to give shipboard command an awareness of any electromagnetic emissions coming from other ships or aircraft at ranges beyond the capabilities of radar to detect the other asset.

A hypersonic flight trial was recently undertaken by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the US Air Force Research Laboratory at the Andøya Rocket Range in Norway.

Lockheed Martin has launched in Canberra - SkyLine Enterprise - a platform to enhance the safety and efficiency of international air traffic management.

A summary of the latest news and views in the defence industry, locally and overseas. Check out our webpage for daily news updates on the ADM home page and make sure you bookmark/RSS this for a regular visit.

The US Army reportedly continues to struggle with the higher-than-anticipated cost of withdrawing equipment from Afghanistan as key shipping routes through Pakistan have remained effectively unusable for the enormous undertaking, according to sources and documents.

The US Army is said to be watching industry to see who will be the first to fit an electro-optical sensor and an infrared sensor with wide area surveillance capability into a 15-inch turret for manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft, according to an Army official.

Boeing's liquid hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye unmanned aircraft system has completed taxi testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California as it progresses toward its second flight.

Moves by the German Bundeswehr to equip its infantry forces with the state-of-the-art Gladius soldier system are gathering pace.

The US Navy's fifth littoral combat ship, Milwaukee, from the Lockheed Martin led team will be the first to benefit from new high-power density waterjets aimed at staving off rudder and propeller damage experienced on high-speed ships.

The risk that US adversaries will develop surprising weapons capable of challenging American military dominance - perhaps by taking out US military satellites or aircraft carriers - calls for a new framework to guard against unexpected threats, according to a new study commissioned by the US Navy.

The full version of Defence Week Premium no.239 of 7 February 2013 can be downloaded here as a PDF. A separate PDF of the latest Defence tenders can also be downloaded here.

February 4, 2013 Dr Mike Kelly AM, Member for Eden Monaro, was appointed Minister for Defence Materiel, replacing Jason Clare, now Cabinet Secretary and continuing as Minister for Home Affairs and Justice, who has twice served as Defence Materiel Minister.

The NZ Ministry of Defence is undertaking a final review of SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters that were previously rejected by the Australian government, in support of a formal bid for the aircraft.

This week public forums were held in Darwin as part of the consultations on the Social and Economic Assessments of the impacts associated with the proposed rotational deployment of 1100 US Marines to northern Australia in 2014.