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
Airbus and Europe’s Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) have signed the Eurodrone global contract, initially for 20 Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) and 5 years of initial in-service support, though EX2 understands the final requirement is for 60 RPASs.…
The Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO), IDF and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems have completed successful live-fire tests at sea of the ‘C-Dome’ system – an advanced naval configuration of the Iron Dome defense system. The ‘C-Dome’ was operated for the…
The Australian government has announced a further $65 millions-worth of investment in Australian space technology, including a mission to put an Australian astronaut into space. It will co-invest more than $32 million in the development of up to three new…
Adelaide-based Fleet Space Technologies has established its first international HQ in Houston, Texas. This is the first phase of the company’s global expansion plan and follows its highly successful Series B funding round in November 2021 which raised US$26.4million. This…
Hanwha Defense Australia will establish a 32,000m2 Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence at Geelong’s Avalon Airport. The new CoE is estimated to create a minimum of 300 jobs over the life of the $1 billion project, generating ongoing support opportunities…
Melbourne-based Sentient Vision Systems plans to adapt its unique Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning technology to Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR). The program is designed to provide the company’s proven stand-off ViDAR (for Visual Detection and Ranging) optical radar capability in…
DMTC Limited and its partners have begun a series of projects in the Advanced Piezoelectric Materials and Applications (APMA) Program to accelerate the development of next-generation piezoelectric materials for defence applications. The APMA Program delivered by DMTC represents a coordinated,…
Brazilian company Eve UAM, LLC, a subsidiary of Embraer S.A, has announced partnerships with two Australian firms to start up eVTOL services in Melbourne and Western Australia operated by up to 90 eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. At…
Northrop Grumman Corporation subsidiary SpaceLogistics has signed a launch agreement for its Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) spacecraft, and the sale of its first Mission Extension Pod (MEP). Under the launch agreement, SpaceX will launch the MRV and several MEPs in early 2024.…
Adelaide-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) company Consilium Technology is designing and testing a range of cutting-edge technologies that can be integrated into Lockheed Martin Australia’s future Joint Air Battle Management solution for the Royal Australian Air Force’s AIR6500 Phase 1 Project.…
