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
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…
Brisbane-based Boeing Defence Australia and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully completed demonstrations proving the operational viability of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The tests were completed four and a half months ahead of…
The US Navy has awarded four companies contracts of undisclosed value to design and develop armed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs). A fifth company has won a contract, also of undisclosed value, to build a common control system. No in-service date…
The Royal Navy has made a delivery of supplies between warships using a Malloy T-150 quadcopter Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) during its major 2025 Indo-Pacific mission. The UAS flew from flagship HMS Prince of Wales to destroyer HMS Dauntless during…
French firm Exail has made the launch sale of its new long-range Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV), the DriX H-9, to an undisclosed leading global hydrographic authority. This milestone marks the successful expansion of Exail’s portfolio of autonomous solutions for both…
Swedish defence prime Saab has signed a SEK 60 million ($9.75 million) contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for a Large Uncrewed Undersea Vehicle (LUUV). The goal of the project, led by FMV, is to develop a concept…
Although Leidos Australia has won the SIP role in Defence’s Project LAND156, US prime contractor L3Harris Technologies has launched its own Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-UAS) initiative. L3Harris says it is rapidly responding to the US Department of Defense and…
