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
San Diego-based Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has confirmed its Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle Type B (ARAV-B) ARAV-B participation in NATO’s At-Sea Demonstration (ASD)/EX Formidable Shield (FS) 25. This extensive live-fire exercise, the largest of its kind in the European…
Dutch-New Zealand company Dawn Aerospace has signed a binding partnership with the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) to operate a Mk II Aurora space plane at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port in Burns Flat. The Aurora is scheduled…
The UK has released the results of its long-awaited Strategic Defence Review which was begun last year. The UK Government has committed itself to spending 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2027, rising to 3% ‘in the next parliament’. In…
Following the announcement of successful missile and rocket intercepts using Rafael’s laser systems, Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd will unveil its newly developed IRON BEAM laser director alongside its full family of High-Energy Laser Weapon Systems (HELWS) at…
The Australian Government has taken the next step towards increasing the ADF’s long-range strike capabilities and supporting domestic defence industry with the establishment of a new cooperative program with the United States for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) which has…
The US Army has officially designated its Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) as the MV-75, to be manufactured by Bell Textron. This is a key modernisation effort aimed at fielding the next generation of vertical lift tactical assault and…
For the first time ever, troops from the Israeli Air Force (IAF) have used High-Power Laser (HPL) systems to intercept ‘scores’ of enemy aerial threats. In partnership with the IAF and Israeli Ministry of Defense’s (IMOD) Directorate of Defense Research…
The UK Ministry of Defence (UK MoD) has conducted the UK’s largest-ever multi-domain AI trial, bringing together land, sea and air equipment. The trial provided valuable data to develop and validate AI algorithms, says the Department, and strengthens the UK’s position…
Port Macquarie-based Birdon Group has begun construction of the first of two prototype ASC-M landing craft for the US Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL). The MWCL selected Birdon to design and build two prototype Ancillary Surface Craft (ASC) to demonstrate…
The Brisbane-based Women in Defence Association Queensland (WiDA-Q) has launched its inaugural mentor program, creating opportunities for women in the defence sector to connect, grow, and thrive through structured mentorship. The program pairs emerging professionals with experienced mentors who play a vital role…
