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
Korean company Hanwha Aerospace has signed a contract with UK-based BAE Systems to integrate next-generation, anti-jamming Global Positioning System (GPS) technology into Hanwha Aerospace’s Deep Strike Capability precision-guided weapon system. This contract brings the two aerospace and defence technology companies…
ASCA, Defence's Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, seeks proposals to develop and demonstrate a sovereign Prototype Undersea Navigation System (UNS) that can operate in deep ocean transit without relying on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) or acoustic transmissions. Responses are due 12…
Round 18 of the CRC-P program is open for applications, closing 7 October 2025. Applications are invited from all industry sectors. CRC-P grants provide between $100,000 and $3M matched funding for projects of up to 3 years. Projects must: develop a…
Sydney based Macquarie University and the nearby University of Wollongong have developed a sonar sensor capable of operating in shallow water and coastal environments. The two universities’ smart sonar and accessible hydrography project has progressed the local manufacturing of state-of-the-art…
US defence company Leidos has unveiled Sea Dagger, an autonomous next-generation Commando Insertion Craft (CIC) concept developed for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. The first craft of its size to combine speed, range, vehicle delivery and modular mission systems…
The UK’s BAE Systems and Canadian company Cellula Robotics have signed a 10-year exclusive agreement to continue working together on Herne, a new autonomous submarine developed specifically for military use, and have announced that they expect to deliver a market-ready…
Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems have announced a strategic partnership to develop a range of autonomous Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). The collaboration will see their advanced research and development divisions, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and BAE Systems' FalconWorks, work together…
Defence has awarded Anduril Australia a $1.7 billion contract for the delivery, maintenance and continued development of the Ghost Shark Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XL-AUV) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) over the next five years. An undisclosed number…
Melbourne-based Leidos Australia has commenced the Australian build of Sea Archer, a small Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV). This marks a major step forward in bringing Leidos’ proven autonomous technology and maritime systems portfolio to the Indo-Pacific region while supporting AUKUS…
Canberra-based Electro Optic Systems (EOS), which in August secured the world’s first export contract for its 100 kW-class High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW), has announced the official identity of its HELW: Apollo. The launch sale of this ITAR-free Counter Uncrewed Aerial System…
