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
Californian company Saildrone has completed a mission to map the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, using a Saildrone Surveyor Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV). Earlier this year Saildrone and Thales Australia announced a collaboration, funded…
In ‘one of the most significant reforms to defence that we have seen,’ the Australian Department of Defence will establish an all-new Defence Delivery Agency combining the functions and budgets of its principal procurement agencies, the Capability and Sustainment Group…
The Australian Department of Defence is establishing a new Defence Delivery Agency designed to strengthen and streamline acquisition and sustainment activities. The new agency , to become operational on 1 July 2026, will deliver the capabilities, skills and workforce needed…
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has marked a significant milestone with successful first-of-class trials of the Edge 130 tri-copter Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) on the evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat (eCCPB) HMAS Cape Pillar. Conducted throughout September in Darwin Harbour and surrounding…
Brisbane-based rocket manufacturer AtSpace, has successfully sent its Australian-made A01 rocket higher than any other Australian commercial rocket has gone before. The 12.2m tall vehicle launched from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range, performed perfectly and flew close to the target…
UK firm GKN Aerospace has been awarded a £12 million ($24.5 million) contract by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to develop a clean-sheet Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) demonstrator, including a dedicated turbojet engine, within 18 months The programme aims…
On a recent visit to Anduril Industries’ HQ in Costa Mesa, California, the company’s co-founder Palmer Luckey made a very important point: if you want to build something in large numbers, you need to tailor it to the capabilities of…
Sydney based DroneShield Limited has won a $5.2 million follow-on contract from the Belgian government. The contract is for handheld counter Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) systems and associated accessories to strengthen protection around airports and military installations. DroneShield has stock…
The Pentagon’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA, has issued a Lift Challenge to designers and manufacturers of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) who can design a UAS that lift up to four times its own weight. Registration is tentatively scheduled…
European missile house MBDA has been awarded a £316 million ($641 million) contract to deliver new DragonFire High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW) systems to the Royal Navy from 2027. The system achieved a UK first in its latest test by…
