"The latest tranche of investments includes two contracts awarded to Australian universities and seven contracts with Australian businesses," Minister Reynolds said. 

The Defence Innovation Hub is an initiative of the 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement and will invest around $640 million over the decade to 2025-26 in maturing and further developing technologies that have moved from the early science stages into the engineering and development stages of the innovation process.

The Defence Innovation Hub seeks proposals aligned with the following six capability streams:

• Intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, space and cyber;
• Key enablers;
• Land combat, amphibious warfare and special operations;
• Air and sea lift;
• Maritime and anti-submarine warfare; and 
• Strike and air combat.

A $5.4 million contract has been awarded to Western Sydney University to explore the application of advanced neuromorphic sensing technology to deliver detailed imaging capabilities to satellites. This technology has the potential to enhance satellite and space situational awareness capabilities.

The University of Adelaide has been awarded a $3 million contract to develop an active exhaust silencer for diesel engines. This technology has the potential to enhance the capability and operations of the Australian Defence Force by reducing vehicle noise.

A $3 million contract has also been awarded to DefendTex, a Victoria-based business, to explore the application of sustained supercavitation technology to enhance Defence’s subsurface defensive capabilities through countering minefields and inbound torpedoes.

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The Defence Innovation Hub accepts proposals at all stages of innovation, from early concept exploration and testing through to advanced prototypes and evaluation.

Industry and research organisations are encouraged to submit their innovation proposals at any time through the Defence Innovation Portal at: www.business.gov.au/cdic. 

Stephen Kuper

Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.