SPOTLIGHT: Building a hypersonics industry, with Duncan Watt and Mat Jones

Joint-capabilities
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By: Robyn Tongol
SPOTLIGHT: Building a hypersonics industry, with Duncan Watt and Mat Jones

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Duncan Watt, general manager of guided weapons and hypersonics at Thales, and Mat Jones, head of future business at BAE Systems Australia, join host Phil Tarrant to discuss how the companies have teamed up to build a sovereign hypersonics and guided weapons capability.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Duncan Watt, general manager of guided weapons and hypersonics at Thales, and Mat Jones, head of future business at BAE Systems Australia, join host Phil Tarrant to discuss how the companies have teamed up to build a sovereign hypersonics and guided weapons capability.


  • The podcast begins with a discussion of the Thales and BAE Systems Australia partnership, where homegrown intellectual property is being utilised to build a unique missile solution.
  • They continue discussing how Australia is well positioned to develop hypersonic deterrent, having maintained significant research from Nulka and the Evolved SeaSparro.
  • Watt and Jones also discuss the broader concept of hypersonic deterrence, explaining that the industry is not simply aiming to develop one single prototype but an entire industrial ecosystem to produce capabilities at scale. 

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect Team

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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:

Episode 11: PODCAST: Missile manufacturing, Collins LOTE upgrades and submarine base east
Episode 10: PODCAST: Aerobatics, military aviation and Australian air shows, with Paul Bennet
Episode 9: CONTESTED GROUND: Australia and the West must ask themselves new questions in the face of the modern world, with Robbin Laird
Episode 8: PODCAST: Black Hawk capability, B-21 bomber debate, and upcoming budget
Episode 7: PODCAST: Supermarine Spitfire, warbird aviation and modern aerial innovation, with Keith Russell
Episode 6: PODCAST: Bushmaster PMV funding, long-range strike expansion and cyber defence
Episode 5: PODCAST: Space Command workforce expansion and operationalising the domain, with Major General Gregory Novak AM
Episode 4: CONTESTED GROUND: The Defence budget, inflationary pressures and domestic information warfare
Episode 3: SPOTLIGHT: Maritime sustainment, mission-ready maintenance and resilient fleet capability, with Serco’s David Astbury
Episode 2: PODCAST: Anzac Day reflections, veteran support reform and ADF workforce trends, with Minister Matt Keogh