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 General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has been awarded a contract of undisclosed value by the US Space Development Agency (SDA) to demonstrate the capabilities of the company’s Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs) hosted on GA-EMS’ GA-75 (75kg class) spacecraft…
Australia and Japan have signed an agreement to enhance strategic capabilities in robotic and autonomous systems for undersea warfare. The research project between Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and Japan’s Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) is the first…
European missile house MBDA has received three contracts worth around £400 million ($773 million) for an Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) upgrade and enhanced support of the Sea Viper principal area air defence system of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers. The…
Four US Navy Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) have returned to their home port in California after a 46,651 nautical mile trip, including participating in Australia’s EX Autonomous Warrior.. Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2, the third multi-domain unmanned capabilities exercise under…
Sydney-based Thales Australia has strongly welcomed the Australian government’s $37.4 million contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to commence manufacturing of the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) from 2025 in Australia, says the company’s CEO Jeff Connolly. Thales Australia runs…
US missile manufacturer Raytheon has successfully completed a technical review and a seamless prototype fit-check on an F/A-18 Super Hornet in phase one of the US Navy's Hypersonic Air Launched Offensive Anti-Surface (HALO) missile program. The company, with its industry…
The US Army has sole-sourced the acquisition of 6,700 Coyote counter-UAS (Uncrewed Air System) interceptors from US missile house Raytheon. The US Army needs to develop, produce and maintain countermeasures against enemy-armed and intelligence gathering UAS's operating at various speeds…
Lockheed Martin Australia has been awarded a $37.4 million (excluding GST) contract by Defence to commence manufacturing missiles in Australia. Under this Guided Weapons Production Capability (GWPC) Risk Reduction Activity contract, Lockheed Martin Australia will commence fit-out in preparation for…
KBR has been awarded two separate contracts of undisclosed value supporting the first MQ-4C Triton aircraft which will be delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force’s this year. The MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) will provide long-range, persistent surveillance…
French company Airbus Helicopters will acquire Washington State-based Aerovel and its Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), Flexrotor, as part of a strategy to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions. The purchase price has not been disclosed. Flexrotor is a small…
