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 UK Ministry of Defence has opened a new hub in Dorset designed to spark innovation and push the boundaries of technology used by the UK Armed Forces. The Hub , named Defence BattleLab, is designed to foster closer collaboration…
Adelaide-based SME and passive surveillance specialist Silentium Defence has become only the second company outside the USA to embark on Lockheed Martin’s Mentor Protégé Program (MPP). Silentium Defence will participate in an intensive 12-month mentoring program gaining access to Lockheed…
The Australian Trade Commission, Austrade, is inviting Australian space companies to participate in Japan’s S-Booster contest. Entries close on 20 June S-Booster 2022 is a space-based business idea contest for ventures, individuals, and businesses in different industries in Japan and…
The Office of the New South Wales Chief Scientist and Engineer has released ‘Shaping the future of NSW in Science and Technology: 20-year R&D Roadmap’. The NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Hugh Durrant-Whyte, said the Roadmap identifies four technology themes:…
The Australian federal Government will invest $23.6 million in the $71.4 million Australian Satellite Manufacturing Hub, jointly led by Electro Optic Systems (EOS) and Nova Systems. This will see manufacturing facilities built at the South Jerrabomberra Innovation Precinct outside Canberra and…
Queensland-based Gilmour Space Technologies has been selected to develop and launch a new sovereign surveillance satellite in a $15 million partnership deal. This forms part of the Australian Government’s $7billion investment in new military space capabilities. “Defence is aiming to…
If elected, an Australian Labor Government will invest $1 billion in advanced manufacturing, as part of its election commitment to create secure well-paid jobs and build a future made in Australia. The Advanced Manufacturing Fund will be part of Labor’s…
If elected, a Labor Government will expand Australia’s critical technology capability, in areas like Artificial Intelligence, robotics, software development and quantum computing, says Labor leader Anthony Albanese in a statement on 13 May. It will set up a Critical Technologies…
The University of Southern Queensland, with its partners the Australian National University (ANU), University of South Australia and a number of industry partners will help propel Australia's space manufacturing capabilities and sector in a new research hub of national priority.…
Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) has established Unmanned Surface Vessel Division (USVDIV) One during a ceremony which also included a change of command ceremony for Surface Development Squadron (SURFDEVRON) One. During the combined ceremony, Cmdr. Jeremiah Daley…
