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
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…
Defence has awarded grants to more than 50 businesses across Australia that provide priority defence capabilities. The first rounds of the new Defence Industry Development Grants program have been completed, with 58 grants worth $16.5 million awarded to Defence suppliers…
The Adelaide-based Defence Trailblazer has launched Australia’s first suite of credit-ready Combat Systems Engineering Micro-credentials. Under Defence Trailblazer’s Industry Upskilling Program, the micro-credentials were co-developed with the University of Adelaide, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and Lockheed Martin Australia.…
The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) is boosting its testing capabilities with a new UAS experimentation system at Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s Webster Outlying Field. Designed to accelerate unmanned aviation development, the Tethered Unmanned Aerial…
The UK’s industry, innovators and investors will benefit from a new partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence (UK MoD), making it easier and more attractive to do business with the Department than ever before, says the UK MoD. This new…
California-based Cubic Defense, a leading provider of advanced Air Combat Manoeuvring Instrumentation (ACMI) training, has delivered the first-ever encrypted ACMI upgrade to 4th generation aircraft, following a recent US Air Force Production award. This encrypted ACMI allows secure, seamless and…
Canberra-based Electro Optic Systems has announced the first sale of the maritime version of its flagship Slinger Remote Weapon System (RWS), worth approximately $53 million. The order, placed by a European naval systems integration business and funded by an undisclosed…
