In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Rear Admiral (Ret'd) Nevin Carr, former Chief of Naval Research at the US Navy and current Vice President, Navy Strategic Account Executive at Leidos, joins host Liam Garman to discuss how autonomous naval vessels can be deployed within the Royal Australian Navy to defend the nation’s maritime borders.
- RADM (Ret'd) Carr begins the podcast outlining the challenges of defending Australia’s maritime approaches, and the future role of autonomous systems.
- The podcast continues with an analysis of the AUKUS agreement and how Leidos’ recent advancements in autonomous technology could be embedded within this framework to preserve Australian security.
- The pair wrap up the podcast unpacking how Leidos’ Sea Hunter and Seahawk programs can expand Australia’s force structure in yet unforeseen ways.
Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team
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Listen to previous episodes of the Defence Connect podcast:
Episode 11: PODCAST: Aerospace engineering, UAVs and Australia’s next generation of defence talent, with RMIT University’s Marcus Serong
Episode 10: PODCAST: Counter-drone systems, manufacturing and Australia’s defence industry priorities, with Northrop Grumman Australia’s Robert Denney
Episode 9: SPOTLIGHT: Australia’s loitering munitions, sovereign manufacturing and the future of drone warfare, with Innovaero’s Gregory Tunny
Episode 8: PODCAST: Contested logistics and Australia’s defence industry priorities at Land Forces 2026, with Amentum Australia’s Kim Katheklakis
Episode 7: PODCAST: Containerised solutions and human-in-the-loop systems at Land Forces 2026, with IAI’s Maxim Zemer
Episode 6: SPOTLIGHT: Lockheed Martin Australia’s priorities, leadership and life after service, with Jeremy King
Episode 5: THE PROGRESS REPORT: Leadership, mentorship and life at sea – Commander Melanie Lennard on 17 years in the Royal Australian Navy
Episode 4: PODCAST: Australia’s munitions manufacturing push at Land Forces 2026, with NIOA Group’s Robert Nioa
Episode 3: PODCAST: EOS showcases new interceptor and layered drone defence at Land Forces 2026, with Lee Kormany
Episode 2: CONTESTED GROUND: The information advantage – how AI is reshaping influence, competition and power