Three Australian businesses have been awarded contracts through the Defence Innovation Hub to further develop innovative technologies to maintain a war fighting advantage.
Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the contracts totalling over $1.2 million demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting local Defence industry and harnessing its innovation potential while developing new capabilities.
“The Defence Innovation Hub is supporting Australian industry throughout all development stages of the innovation process; from concept exploration and technology demonstration, through to prototyping and integrating capability demonstration and evaluation,” Minister Pyne said.
“Investing in Defence innovation will not only build the innovation capabilities of Australian industry and research organisations, it will also deliver innovative capability solutions for use by Defence.”
Funded at around $640 million over the decade to 2025-26, the Defence Innovation Hub accepts proposals on innovations at all stages, from early stage concept exploration and technology demonstration through to advanced prototypes for integration, test and evaluation.
Industry and research organisations can continue to submit proposals through the Defence Innovation Portal at www.business.gov.au/cdic
A full list of the contracts awarded today is provided below.
| Organisation | Contract Value | Description of innovation |
| Aerospace and Mechanical Consulting Engineers Pty Ltd (NSW) | $659,000 | A lightweight armour solution for the Australian Defence Force aircraft using panels designed with new materials and ballistic protection level. |
| Unmanned Aerial Systems Pty Ltd (NSW, VIC) | $293,000 | Combines features of a helicopter and a fixed wing aircraft in order to increase performance, efficiency and capability.
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| Defence Materials Technology Centre Limited (VIC) | $287,000 | An armour for soldiers that is lightweight with improved protection levels and functional integration. |
