Land Forces 2022 Innovation Awards shortlist announced

Twelve Australian innovators have been shortlisted for the prestigious Land Forces 2022 Innovation Awards, worth $30,000. The Awards are sponsored this year by Australian innovation and professional services consultancy Synergy Group.

Among the shortlisted contenders are a company that has already deployed smart surveillance equipment to counter poachers in African wildlife parks, a company that manufactures solid rocket propellant that can withstand the pressures and speeds demanded of hypersonic flight, and a company that has worked out how to handle, examine and then disarm suspect ammunition without exposing humans to danger.

The winners will be announced and will receive their Awards during the LAND FORCES 2022 International Land Defence Exposition at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) on Tuesday 4 October to Thursday 6 October.  The Awards are:

• LAND FORCES 2022 National Innovation Award
• LAND FORCES 2022 SME Innovation Award (including a $15,000 cash award)
• LAND FORCES 2022 Young Innovator Award (including a $15,000 cash award)

In addition, at the judges’ discretion, strong entries that didn’t win but are considered deserving could receive a High Commendation.

The shortlisted companies and individuals are:

NATIONAL AND SME INNOVATION AWARDS:

• Australian Safety Engineers (WA) – Breathing Air Compressor Unit, BACU, to provide safe, breathable compressed air for divers and damage control teams
• Black Sky Aerospace (QLD) – Lightweight, immensely strong Solid Rocket Propellant for hypersonic missiles and rockets
• Buzzworks (QLD) – Light To Fight (LTF) Multi-Rig load carriage harness for combat soldiers
• Pentarch Pty Limited (VIC) – Robotic handling, safety inspection and disarming of live high explosive and illuminating artillery ammunition
• DMTC Limited (VIC) – rapid diagnostic system enabling diagnosis in minutes of COVID and other endemic viruses and bacteria that can afflict deployed troops
• ECLIPS Logistics (QLD) – ReadyFleet Condition-Based Maintenance Software System for the Australian Defence Force
• ECLIPS Logistics (QLD) – Joint Modular Intermodal Logistics System (JMILS) enabling in-transit condition monitoring and asset visibility of cargo throughout the supply chain
• OneTide Modular Systems Pty Limited (WA) – Rapid Reel and Mobile Power Stand to enable rapid, easy deployment and recovery of Shore Power Cable and up to 8-inch fuel hose on dock sides and in the field
• Tekuma (SA) – Easy Manoeuvre Unit, EMU, incorporating a patented Tekuma control orb as a universal controller for robots
• Townsend Family Trust (VIC) – Ground Unmanned System, GUS, a remote Observation Post for use in challenging operational environments

YOUNG INNOVATOR AWARD:

• Mr Lachlan Clark, Anywise (VIC) – for his work on the software, Graphical U ser Interface (GUI) and data management system of the Fleet Agnostic Bridge Health and Usage Monitoring System, FABHUMS – making military bridges much safer and more reliable
• Mr James Tsarahous, Anywise (VIC) – for his work on designing and integrating the sensor array for the Fleet Agnostic Bridge Health and Usage Monitoring System, FABHUMS – making military bridges much safer and more reliable