Australia Ministry for Defense Industry $10 million for research to defeat improvised threats 12804171

Defense & Security News - Australia
 
Australia Ministry for Defense Industry $10 million for research to defeat improvised threats.
Australia's Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, has announced a $10 million investment program inviting researchers to develop innovative solutions to defeat improvised threats. Minister Pyne said the widespread availability of low-cost, sophisticated technology is enabling our adversaries to deploy a diverse and ever-evolving range of improvised threats.
     
Australia's Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne MP, has announced a $10 million investment program inviting researchers to develop innovative solutions to defeat improvised threats. Minister Pyne said the widespread availability of low-cost, sophisticated technology is enabling our adversaries to deploy a diverse and ever-evolving range of improvised threats.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team based at Patrol Base Wali counters the threat from roadside bombs, unexploded ordnance and remnants of war. (Source photo Australia MoD)

     
"Defeating improvised threats without casualties is a complex and tough problem that can only be solved through a collaborative effort involving multi-disciplinary research," he said.
 

"This problem has been identified as the first Grand Challenge for industry, universities and research agencies under the Next Generation Technologies Fund announced last month.

"The aim of this Grand Challenge is to develop a research demonstrator that will detect and respond effectively to these threats without putting Defense personnel or civilians in harm’s way."

"I strongly encourage Australian universities and companies to contribute to this grand challenge with their innovative solutions which will save the lives of Australian soldiers," Minister Pyne said.

The Grand Challenges program is a key element of the $730 million Next Generation Technologies Fund designed to provide game-changing capabilities for the future Australian Defence Force.

A series of information sessions on the Grand Challenges program will be held in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth in the week commencing 4 May 2017. Details are available on the Defence Innovation Portal. Submissions will close on 26 May 2017.