Defence names new Chief of Joint Capabilities
Defence has appointed Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz as the new Chief of Joint Capabilities, replacing the incoming Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle. Air Vice-Marshal Braz will be promoted to Air Marshal and start in his new role in July 2026 for four years, said Defence in a media release. In his new job Air…
ASCA awards undersea navigation contracts to three Australian companies
Defence has awarded three Australian companies awarded contracts to develop new undersea navigation technology and strengthened the nation’s ability to operate Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). As part of Defence’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) Undersea Navigation Challenge, contracts worth $7.2 million have been awarded to Phasor Innovation Pty Ltd, Nomad Atomics Pty Ltd and Q‑CTRL…
US Navy’s autonomous MQ-25A Stingray tanker moves into LRIP
Following a successful first flight in April, the US’s Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao has announced that the MQ-25A Stingray autonomous air refueller has received Milestone C approval to move into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). The milestone marks a major step forward in the Navy’s commitment to unmanned carrier aviation, says the US…
Defence selects Northrop Grumman to build SRMs in-country
Defence has selected Northrop Grumman Australia as its preferred industry partner and will invest an initial $126.9 million to establish Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) production in Australia. Solid rocket motors provide the propulsion required for most guided weapons, and are in high demand worldwide. Defence says in a media release that this will strengthen the…
PM appoints new Secretary of Defence
Ms Meghan Quinn will become the next Secretary of the Department of Defence in succession to Mr Greg Moriarty who has been posted to Washinton DC as Australian Ambassador. Currently Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Ms Quinn brings with her a wide range of experience across the public sector, including positions at Treasury…
Defence to acquire PrSM and more HiMARS
Defence will spend $2.3 billion over the coming decade establishing a second long-range fires regiment and equipping it with the Lockheed Martin Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and more M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HiMARS) launch vehicles. This is understood to be the Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile (SBASM) capability sought by Defence under Project LAND8113. Lockheed…
