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
Three Australian manufacturers - AMSL Aero, Boresight and Grabba Technologies - have delivered 100 Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) each to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). They are now delivering an undisclosed number of extra UASs worth around $1.5 million. The…
Brisbane-based aerospace startup Hypersonix Launch Systems has secured its first institutional investors in a tightly held Series A funding round. Co-founded by scramjet expert and former NASA scientist Dr Michael Smart, Hypersonix is preparing to fly the world’s first 3D-printed,…
The Australian Space Surveillance Telescope (SST), located at Exmouth in Western Australia, has achieved Final Operational Capability (FOC). The SST will give the ADF and allied nations greater awareness of artificial objects orbiting Earth. Defence and the USAF agreed to…
The Australian subsidiaries of US firm KBR and UK firm BMT have entered into a strategic relationship to support the delivery of long-term outcomes for the sustainment of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) platforms. Adelaide-based KBR will provide extensive program management,…
Defence has awarded the $1.5 billion, 10-year Defence Theatre Logistics (DTL) contract to Melbourne-based Toll Remote Logistics Pty Limited. The DTL contract will see the company deliver vital equipment, supplies and support across Australia. It consolidates two existing contracts, with logistics…
Canberra-based Lockheed Martin Australia has signed a Teaming Agreement with Avalon Airport Australia in Geelong to lease a facility, owned by the Airport, to store essential equipment required for the domestic assembly of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions. This…
Defence’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on innovative asymmetric solutions for its Pitch Day 2025. Down-selected respondents will be invited to attend ASCA’s Pitch Day scheduled for Monday 3 November 2025 in Sydney,…
US Defence prime Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully conducted its second full-scale static test fire of a new solid rocket motor developed in less than a year, as part of the company’s Solid Motor Annual Rocket Technology Demonstrator (SMART Demo).…
Canberra-based Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS) has announced a €71.4 million ($125 million)order from an undisclosed European country for a 100kW laser counter-drone capability based on a new type of high-power laser. This is the world’s first export order…
The Australian government has selected the upgraded Japanese Mogami-class frigate for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) future fleet of between seven and 11 General Purpose Frigates (GPF) under Project SEA 3000. The project has a value of up to $8.5…
