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Defence Trailblazer, a partnership between the University of Adelaide, UNSW, and The Department of Education, has revealed a range of new technologies and projects it is supporting, with the central aim of transitioning the defence industry practices to cleaner, more sustainable operations.
The projects Defence Trailblazer are supporting seek to align with the government’s Net Zero Plan and reduce emissions to 62–70 per cent below 2005 levels by 2035.
The projects, which are financially supported by Defence Trailblazer’s Technology Development and Acceleration, are led by industry partners and academics from the University of Adelaide and UNSW.
Electric Motor Power (EMP), Ocius Technology, and Praxis are companies working on projects with Defence Trailblazer to create low-emission technology in autonomous, robotics and artificial intelligence fields.
EMP is working with integrating advanced materials into electric motors used in defence assets to increase performance and reduce emissions. Ocius is continuing to work on their production of uncrewed surface vessels for the Royal Australian Navy, a fleet of renewable solar, wind and wave-powered maritime defence vessels. Praxis is developing camouflage photovoltaic solar modules to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels in remote combat locations.
“At Defence Trailblazer, we have been consistently impressed by the innovative research being carried out by our industry partners and collaborating academics,” said Dr Margaret Law, Defence Trailblazer’s Technology Development and Acceleration general manager.
“The net zero strategy requires transformational uplift to prepare for future energy needs. By investing in low-emissions energy technologies, projects like these are ensuring a capable and resilient sovereign supply chain.”
Defence Trailblazer additionally supports Australian businesses through its Entrepreneurial Foundations for Defence program that seeks to provide entrepreneurial endeavours with the tools needed to gain readiness in the field.
This program has provided multiple ventures with the sovereign capability to support Australia’s sustainable defence practices, such as Advanced Composite Design Corporation which develops nickel iron batteries to replace lithium batteries in warfighter equipment, and Electro Basem, which provides off-grid power and energy needs and efficient e-mobility charging.
“Our industry partners are leveraging Defence Trailblazer’s entire suite of R&D and innovation pathways to fast-track their leading-edge technologies – delivering sovereign capabilities that will improve Defence’s energy resilience and help achieve net zero,” Defence Trailblazer project manager Richard Williamson said.
