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Fourteen new contracts have been signed across the air, land, space, cyber and naval domains as part of the Australian government’s Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program.
In a nearly $40 million investment, the program seeks to support the construction of “cutting edge, innovative proposals” in the technology and artificial intelligence sector to better support Australia’s defensive planning, decision making and action.
“As technology evolves, Defence is continually investing in the cutting-edge capabilities the Australian Defence Force needs to keep Australians safe,” Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro said.
“These investments build long-term partnerships with industry, research institutions and our world-leading universities so we can develop the technology we need faster.”
Over 123 organisations, universities and companies submitted proposals for the program, with Macquarie University and Western Sydney University receiving the highest valued contracts, succeeding $6 million together.
“The investment of $40 million in the EDT Decision Advantage Program is an important activity to develop future capability and inform potential future ASCA missions to provide an asymmetric advantage to the ADF,” said Major General Hugh Meggitt, lead of ASCA.
Program funding will enable contract recipients to be provided with additional resources to support research and development activities that will aid in the advancement of Australia’s response to modern-day defensive threats.
“While the information environment in our region and around the world continues to change, we’re backing Australian researchers, innovators and engineers to deliver homegrown solutions to emerging challenges,” Monro said.
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