Innovation and R&D have always been the essential foundations of a strong, sustainable defence industry. Australia’s 2016 Defence White Paper, Defence Industry Policy Statement (DIPS) and Defence Integrated Investment Program (DIIP) acknowledge the importance of successful Defence R&D and innovation to the nation’s defence industry and thus to Australian defence policy. The 2020 Defence Force Structure Plan reinforced these foundations.
EX2 was set up by Dr Gregor Ferguson, a defence industry and innovation analyst and consultant, to make a useful contribution in Australia’s new and welcoming defence business environment.
EX2 helps innovators in Defence, the research sector and industry, and especially SMEs, by providing news and insight about innovation in Defence and adjacent sectors such as space, aerospace and resources.
Gregor Ferguson writes, teaches, advises and runs a national program designed to encourage and reward innovators in the defence, aerospace and maritime domains in both industry and the research and academic communities.
View his bio here (PDF opens in new window).
Dr Gregor Ferguson, Ph.D, BA (Hons), MRAeS
The Australian Army has released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking innovative technologies at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-6 under the theme of Autonomous Mass in Littoral Warfare. It is seeking autonomous systems that operate collaboratively in contested littoral environments,…
The US Department of War has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract of undisclosed value to develop a 500kW Joint Laser Weapon System (JLWS) program. This will advance the United States’ next-generation cruise missile and Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) defence architecture,…
The German Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) has commissioned MBDA Deutschland and Rheinmetall to develop a High Energy Laster Weapon (HELW) system for the German Navy. The two companies are establishing a joint…
Defence has accelerated the introduction of integrated air and missile defence capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with the successful live‑firing last month of a ground-based SM-2 missile air defence system by the Australian Defence Force and the United…
The successful launch of an Aladdin air delivery drone from a C-130J Hercules has demonstrated how emerging technologies can be rapidly integrated into Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) capability. Launched from the rear ramp of a C-130J Hercules, the Sovereign…
Defence has awarded a $5.7 million Counter Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) contract to Electro Optic Systems (EOS) Defence Systems to develop the R400 SLINGER CUAS capability under the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Mission Syracuse. This contract brings total investment…
Lockheed Martin Australia has started building a new $85.9 million Air Power Precinct at RAAF Base Williamtown in the Hunter region. The purpose-built National Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Ecosystem will support next-generation IAMD systems, strengthening the nation’s sovereign…
Britain's Armed Forces will be strengthened through a drone transformation, announced by the Prime Minister and backed by more than £5 billion in the Government’s Defence Investment Plan. In a major speech the British Prime Minister set out how new investment in defence…
The Boeing Defence Australia-developed MQ-28A Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) will integrate with US and allied forces during EX Valiant Shield 2026. This marks a significant milestone in the operational development of CCAs and the advancement of human-machine teaming…
Australia and Canada have signed a government-to-government arrangement with to export an Australian Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) system. This $2.5 billion agreement marks the first international sale of Australia’s world-leading OTHR technology, building on the proven success of the Jindalee…
