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
The US Department of War has announced the shortlisting of 25 vendors of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UASs) who will help the department get some 300,000 loitering munition UASs into service, both quickly and inexpensively, by 2027. The list includes firms…
Aerospace giant Boeing has selected Brisbane-based Ferra Engineering to produce wing kits for its High-Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon Capability (HAAWC) under a contract of undisclosed value. The HAAWC is designed to be deployed from Boeing’s P-8A multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft,…
US defence prime L3Harris Technologies has been selected by US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to develop, test and manufacture affordable Red Wolf™ missiles for the US Marine Corps’ Precision Attack Strike Munition (PASM) program. Among other thigs it is…
The French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has ordered a new version of the Aliaca SMDM ("Onboard Mini Aerial Drone Systems for the Navy") from Airbus Helicopters’ subsidiary Survey Copter. This Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) will now be delivered in…
Defence has established a new industry panel to advise it and other Australian Government agencies on Counter small Uncrewed Aerial Systems (C-sUAS) services, enhancing Australia’s ability to detect, deter and respond to emerging drone threats. The Defence Project Land156 Standing…
Defence will invest $508 million in the construction of new explosive ordnance storage and the redevelopment of base facilities at Orchard Hills in Western Sydney. The investment, part of the $21 billion Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) plan, supports…
Defence has awarded more than $17 million to 44 Australian businesses in the latest rounds of the Defence Industry Development Grants (DIDG) program. The DIDG program continues to provide matching grants of up to 50 per cent to eligible Australian…
The UK Ministry of Defence (UK MoD) has shortlisted seven companies to develop Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) designs to operate alongside British Army AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The UK ordered 50 Apaches in 2024 and all have been delivered. Under…
US defence prime contractor L3Harris Technologies has delivered the first of four MC-55A Peregrine aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Peregrine, which marks a major milestone in strengthening Australia’s sovereign defence capability, is an airborne Intelligence, Surveillance,…
The Australian Army has tested Counter small Uncrewed Aerial System (C-sUAS) capabilities acquired under Project LAND156 at its Cultana Range urban training facility in South Australia. EX Southern Arrow 25 the Army culminated in a successful live-fire demonstration. This was…
