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
Australian fund Beaten Zone Venture Partners has announced the Inaugural Beaten Zone Pitch Fest with a $500,000 investment on offer for the winning pitch, in the form of a SAFE Note with a valuation cap and a discount, subject to…
The US State Department has approved an interim AUKUS Trade Authorization Mechanism pending legislative changes to both Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). The mechanism will allow DCS transfers of some items typically transferred only under FMS.…
BAE Systems has launched a new division within its Warton, UK-based Air Sector called FalconWorks™. It is a new centre for advanced and agile research and development designed to deliver a range of cutting-edge combat air capabilities to the UK and…
Babcock Australasia has officially commenced operation of the Defence High Frequency Communications System (DHFCS) under the $877 million Joint Project 9101, providing operation, management and maintenance upgrades to support critical operations in Australia and overseas. As the Commonwealth’s industry partner…
Canberra-based Raytheon, Perth-based Austal and Melbourne-based BMT Group have announced that a heavy variant of the Independent Littoral Manoeuvre vessel (ILMV) they have developed for Phase 1 of project LAND 8710 will be offered for the forthcoming Phase 2. In…
Sydney-based DroneShield has been assigned NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs) for four of its products: RfPatrol Mk2, DroneGun Mk3, DroneGun Mk4, and DroneSentry-X. This follows up on the assignment in 2019 of NSN for DroneGun Tactical. That NSN significantly contributed towards…
US company Red 6, an Augmented Reality (AR) technology firm at the forefront of synthetic air combat training and augmented reality applications, has signed a strategic agreement with the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) and the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF),…
The Sydney-based Defence Innovation Network is inviting academics, defence scientists and industry working in the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear) sector to attend a workshop leading to a $500,000 research grant. Entries close at 1200 AEST on 18 July.…
Sydney-based Saber Astronautics has opened its new South Australian headquarters and design facility in the Bice Building in Adelaide’s Lot Fourteen innovation precinct. This new facility will be Saber’s primary place of business in South Australia, and includes both software…
The Sydney-based Defence Innovation Network is inviting academics, defence scientists and industry working in the CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear) sector to attend a workshop leading to a $500,000 research grant. Entries close at 1200 AEST on 18 July.…
