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
Adelaide-based APC Technology has conducted vibration testing in compliance with the NASA-GEVS standard for Fleet Space’s Centauri 6, 7, and 8 satellites along with a backup flight model. In addition, Fleet Space has recently started testing Fleet Space’s A1 payload…
The largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, Airbus, will be the first prime to invest and engage with Australia’s space sector through a dedicated assembly and integration (AI) presence at Adelaide’s new Australian Space Park. A global pioneer in…
Hanwha Systems Corporation (HSC) and Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), Korea’s two leading defense companies, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UK-based OneWeb to explore the joint provision of connectivity services to the Australian defence market. Their initial target is…
Canberra-based CEA Technologies Pty Limited will build four new terrestrial air defence radars under a $110 million contract as part of the Australian Government’s $2.7 billion investment in Defence’s new Joint Air Battle Management System, Project AIR 6500 Ph.1. Lockheed…
Cicada Innovations' HQ in Redfern. Photo: Cicada Innovations NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres have met with Indian tech companies in Bengaluru to promote collaboration between NSW and India, including the space sector. “NSW…
Defence has established the Geospatial Goods and Services Standing Offer Panel (GeoPanel) to procure Geospatial goods, services and relevant emerging geospatial technologies from approved industry providers. The GeoPanel provides the framework for Australian Defence Organisation and Defence Portfolio Agencies to…
Silentium Defence is one of three Australian companies selected to join the US AFRL's Catalyst Accelerator program. Photo: Silentium defence Eight small businesses, including three Australian companies, will come together from across the globe for the US Space Force Catalyst…
The Vertical-BAT Autonomous UAV developed by US firm Martin UAV. Photo: Martin UAV The Office of the US Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)) has announced the first set of ten projects to receive US$100 Millions-worth of…
Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) has selected Airbus Defence and Space to build two experimental 150kg satellites. The satellites will support DSTG’s Resilient Multi-mission Space STaR Shot, a strategic research program established to develop future space capabilities for…
Adelaide-based Shoal Group has signed a multi-year strategic partnership agreement with Airbus for DSTG Resilient Multi-mission Space (RMS) STaR Shot program. Shoal’s expertise in enabling solutions through digital engineering of complex space projects will support the design, manufacture, launch and operation…
