Defence, AMC open maritime research facility in Tasmania

Defence and the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College (AMC) have opened a secure research facility to support collaborative Defence capability development with a focus on maritime and food sciences.

The Common User Facility (CUF), located at AMC’s Launceston campus, provides a dedicated environment for Defence, industry and academic partners to work together on sensitive projects, says Defence.

Built to an approved security standard, the facility is designed to support multiple simultaneous meetings of up to 20 personnel and is equipped with secure communications technology to enable sensitive discussions and research activity.

The CUF was delivered under a $30 million agreement between AMC and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and became fully operational in late March, says Defence.

Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro said the facility would strengthen Defence’s ability to collaborate securely with trusted partners.

“With an initial focus on maritime engineering and food science, the Common User Facility will enable Defence to collaborate with Tasmania-based academia and industry across a broad range of sensitive research,” Professor Monro said.

One such partner is Navantia Australia, which has a strategic partnering agreement with Defence and recently established the Naval Research Centre on the floor above the CUF.

“By bringing Defence, industry and academia together in a secure environment, this collaboration strengthens Australia’s innovation ecosystem and helps translate research excellence into real capability, delivering asymmetric advantage for Defence,” Professor Monro said.