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
Australia is at the start of a new paradigm in research translation, with a “structural change” needed in how academic success is measured, according to the nation’s Chief Scientist and Chief Defence Scientist. Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley and Chief Defence…
Rocket Lab USA has successfully launched its second of two back-to-back national security missions for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The NROL-199 “Antipodean Adventure” mission launched on the Electron rocket from Pad B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in…
The Australian-designed SpIRIT satellite, the first selected for funding by the Australias Space Agency, has been booked with launch service provider ISISPACE to blast off on the Falcon 9 Transporter 8 rocket in April 2023. The Space Industry Responsive Intelligent…
Microsoft has been announced as the first 'Constellation Partner' at the National Space Industry Hub (NSIH) delivered by Cicada Innovations in a significant demonstration of growing industry support for Australia's emerging space industry. The NSIH Constellation Partners Program was designed to engage…
Lockheed Martin has doubled its venture capital fund from US$200 million to US$400 million. Lockheed Martin Ventures will use the increased funds to continue to accelerate future defense innovation through investment in start-up technology companies. “The success of our venture…
Sydney-based DroneShield has received a $2 million R&D Tax Incentive as a cash payment from the Australian government. The payment, awarded for DroneShield’s R&D work throughout 2021, represents the largest recorded government incentive since the company’s inception. Oleg Vornik, DroneShield’s…
Adelaide-based APC Technology has conducted vibration testing in compliance with the NASA-GEVS standard for Fleet Space’s Centauri 6, 7, and 8 satellites along with a backup flight model. In addition, Fleet Space has recently started testing Fleet Space’s A1 payload…
The largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, Airbus, will be the first prime to invest and engage with Australia’s space sector through a dedicated assembly and integration (AI) presence at Adelaide’s new Australian Space Park. A global pioneer in…
Hanwha Systems Corporation (HSC) and Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), Korea’s two leading defense companies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UK-based OneWeb to explore the joint provision of connectivity services to the Australian defence market. Their initial target is…
Canberra-based CEA Technologies Pty Limited will build four new terrestrial air defence radars under a $110 million contract as part of the Australian Government’s $2.7 billion investment in Defence’s new Joint Air Battle Management System, Project AIR 6500 Ph.1. Lockheed…
