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
Boeing and its maritime engineering partner, BMT have successfully tested an Australian-developed maritime communications system under Project SEA1442 Ph.5 that will enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) major fleet unit connectivity and advance joint force capabilities. The Maritime Warfighter Network…
The U.S. Navy has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth more than US$2 billion, if all options are exercised, to integrate the Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) weapon system onto ZUMWALT-class guided missile destroyers (DDGs). The CPS will enter service during the mid-2020s,…
UK-based defence research company QinetiQ Group plc has announced the formation of a new Australia Sector and named Gary Stewart as the Sector’s Chief Executive, effective 1 May 2023. Gary will join QinetiQ from Rheinmetall Defence Australia where he was the…
The Lockheed Martin VISTA X-62A, a one-off training aircraft, has been flown by an Artificial Intelligence agent for more than 17 hours, representing the first time AI has been engaged on a tactical (AI) aircraft. The flight took place as…
The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) Quantum Research Network (QRN), under the Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF), is seeking submissions in the area of Quantum-Enhanced Communications (QEC). Building upon the success of previous rounds of QRN investment, and identifying new…
Submissions are now open for the US Army’s xTechInternational Advanced Manufacturing and Materials competition. Non-US SMEs, universities and research organisations are invited to enter for the chance to: Engage with and pitch to the US Department of Defense. Be awarded up…
By Sascha Sinclair, Systematiq. Systematiq is a veteran-owned Defence industry consulting firm providing career pathways for men and women transitioning from defence to civilian work. One of Systematiq’s capabilities is the provision of Training Systems through its highly skilled team…
The Defence Trailblazer for Concept to Sovereign Capability program has taken another step in being formalised with the conditions of grant being finalised and the announcement of the board members. It is estimated that the project, a partnership between the University…
Applications are now open for round 24 of the Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) grants. As part of this successful, long-running program, businesses and researchers work together to find sustainable solutions for Australia's economic, environmental and social challenges. CRCs are expected…
Entries are now open to aspiring astronauts to be part of the 2023 Endeavour Scholarship Mission Team # 10 - TEAM AUSTRALIA at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, USA. Entries close Sunday 10 March. Four young Australians aged 15-18 will…
