Aussie DoD funds new innovative technologies

The Australian government has approved $10.1 million in funding for seven Australian organisations to develop and demonstrate innovative defence technologies, the Department of Defence announced on 14 September. 

The funds will be provided under the Capability and Demonstrator programme, which is managed by the Defence Science and Technology Group.

The department has selected seven technology proposals from Australian science organisations, universities and companies. The proposals were submitted by the University of Canberra, Ocius Technology, Micro-X, CSIRO, Armor Composite Engineering, the Bureau of Meteorology and Deakin University.

The successful proposals for 2015 include technology for the land, air and sea domains. 

Land technologies include a low profile body armour for improved soldier protection; a miniaturised wide-band, low-noise radio frequency antenna; and mobile x-ray imagers for use during field deployments to detect improvised explosive devices.

In the sea domain technologies include a stealthy unmanned surface vessel to track submarines and torpedoes, and technology that securely transmits three-dimensional geospatial data to ships at sea. 

Air developments will include a tactile flight display that improves helicopter safety in poor visibility and threat environments; and a low-cost, high-G centrifuge for simulators used in pilot training.