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 the Air Force has released a classified solicitation to industry for an Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract for the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platform with the intention of awarding a contract in 2024. "The…
South Australian companies AICRAFT and HEX20 have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a new constellation of smart satellites. The partnership will explore the design, deployment and operation of nanosatellites and payloads in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), utilising AICRAFT’s…
Australian firm Southern Launch has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UK-based Space Forge to explore satellite return possibilities at Koonibba Test Range on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Space Forge is developing a world-first service for the launch and…
Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has launched its Australian-made counter-drone capability, named the “Slinger”. The Slinger, which incorporates lessons learned in theatres such as Ukraine, is designed to destroy targets with a single shot. It incorporates a radar, a 30mm Bushmaster…
Queensland-based nanomaterials company White Graphene Limited, part of PPK Group, has secured $100,000 and a partnership with Boeing to develop boron nitride nanomaterial applications in the space and aerospace industries after winning the company’s highly-competitive Sustainability in Space Pitch Competition.…
The Adelaide-based SmartSat Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) has unveiled the Compact Hybrid Optical-RF User Segment (CHORUS) prototype terminal to create more stable and secured military satellite communications at the 15th Australian Space Forum. Funded by SmartSat CRC, the technology embedded…
Nova Systems Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jim McDowell will be leaving Nova to take up the appointment of Deputy Secretary Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment at the Australian Department of Defence's Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG). He succeeds Mr Tony…
The UK Space Agency has issued a call for proposals for the International Bilateral Fund which aims to strengthen UK space sector partnerships with strategic and emerging space nations. Applications close at noon on 9 June 2023 (London time). The…
Australia’s 2023-24 Defence Budget was handed down on 9 May 2023, less than a month after the release of the unclassified Defence Strategic Review (DSR). It follows much the same trajectory as the budgets handed down last year: the budget…
The Department of Industry Science and Resources has released Australia’s first-ever National Quantum Strategy. The Strategy will help guide collaboration between researchers, industry partners, start-ups and the government into the future. It identifies five priority areas to be pursued over…
