Driving innovation to support defence capability
Global power balance and strategic tensions. Major defence acquisitions. Workforce planning and access to skilled talent. These issues and more all pose challenges for Australia’s defence industry. Strengthening the sector through collaboration and modernisation is essential to overcoming these risks, and will enable a transition to a robust, technology-led economy.
At UniSA, we address defence capability challenges by bringing together industry and researchers from multidisciplinary areas, including materials engineering, autonomous systems, telecommunications, information technology, organisational development, data management and analytics, advanced manufacturing, industrial design, augmented and virtual reality, biomechanics, human performance and psychology.
We work closely with partners to secure support from the New Generation Technologies Fund and Defence Innovation Hub for collaborative research projects that enhance defence capability and grow the sector.
Inspiring young talent through project-based PhD opportunities is another way that we work with industry to support thought leadership and address the complex problems of our partners. Our researchers and students work with industry on a variety of projects, including:
With expert researchers and state-of-the-art facilities, we have the capabilities to work with partners on a range of sector-related challenges and opportunities.
We support defence industry capability and innovation through collaborative relationships with government organisations and businesses across the sector, including the Australian Department of Defence, Defence Science & Technology Group, prime system integrators and the wider defence industry to expand our sovereign capability and support diversification and growth.
UniSA is a globally connected university, collaborating with more than 2,500 companies worldwide. Hear from our partners and staff about their collaborations and engagement.
“Over many years, we have successfully partnered with UniSA on developing the nation’s sovereign capabilities in defence and space, through various initiatives ranging from the Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program to numerous Defence Innovation Partnership projects. These collaborations have brought UniSA’s expertise to the fore, particularly in the areas of autonomous systems, human factor research and advanced materials, contributing to the development of industry-leading products, systems and services that will deliver enhanced capability for defence now and into the future.”
Richard Price
Former Chief Executive
Defence SA
“Saab Australia has enjoyed a productive relationship with UniSA’s IVE for several years through the development and support of student projects that involve AR/VR technology.
In 2020, this relationship grew to include participation in research that has won funding to explore advanced concepts in visualising machine learning outcomes.”
Dennis Medlow
R&D & University Engagement Manager
Saab Australia
UniSA’s strategic partnership with UCL Engineering will continue to grow as we contribute to the reinvigoration of sovereign manufacturing in Australia. Our commitment to further strengthening our engagement with UCL is demonstrated by our Master of Science on Global Management of Natural Resources, where students from the UK can study in a multidisciplinary programme that builds on the teaching and research strengths between the two universities.
Professor Peter Murphy
Director
Future Industries Institute
“Babcock is excited to collaborate with the University of South Australia on technology development for the Australian Army’s LAND125 Phase 4 Integrated Soldier System. Through this partnership, Babcock can access decades of research and expertise through UniSA, which will contribute to the spiral development of technologies and their use by the future Australian soldier and ultimately help generate the best outcome for Defence. It was an easy choice to engage with UniSA; they are collaborative, committed and local.”
Craig Schwartz
Head of Customer Solutions (Defence & Security)
Babcock Australasia
“Our commitment to comprehending and improving AI with Data Visualization extends beyond a technological endeavor; it is a safeguard for the future of human autonomy and informed decision-making.”
Dr Andrew Cunningham
Senior Lecturer
University of South Australia
The Enterprise Hub creates and sustains partnerships with organisations of all sizes, leveraging UniSA’s industry expertise and experience to solve problems, innovate and add value. Discover a range of services that can help you achieve your business goals.
As Australia’s University of Enterprise, our research centres work closely with industry on projects that deliver real benefits to the defence sector.
Meet our researchers and learn about how they are working towards solving industry and partner challenges.
I examine the impact of fatigue, sleep deprivation, irregular work schedules and sustained operations on psychological and physiological functioning. Providing “Science for the Workplace” solutions, I have specific expertise in enhancing neurobehavioural and cognitive performance in operational settings and when using technology. My human centred approach is used by industries that are keen to improve their human capital. I bring this unique lens to defence, where I have established successful long-standing partnerships with Primes such as Lockheed Martin Australia, Naval Group, and Thales UK and government DSTG and Navy.
My principal research is tailoring chip lasers with precise characteristics which can then be applied to the development of high-power laser systems. This has contributed to local capability in advanced optical manufacturing as well as short to mid-infrared fibre based lasers and resulted in systems developed for infrared counter-measures, remote sensing, precision measurements, and spectroscopy. In collaboration with EOS and the Defence Science and Technology Group we are investigating ways to improve the costs, time, and improve the modularity of manufacturing high-powered lasers, commonly used in the defence sector for high precision manufacturing as well as remote sensing.
My research has had a strong focus on augmented reality, virtual reality, wearable computers, and user interfaces. This focus has meant I have had the opportunity to work on a range of exciting projects with industry, including with CADwalk Global, BAE Systems Australia, CSIRO, and DST. With BAE Systems Australia, we are investigating, developing and producing smart manufacturing facilitating technologies to bring Industry 4.0 technologies to modern ship building. Projects with DST are investigating the future methods of providing interactive information to commanders in the command centre.
UniSA offers a range of bachelor, master, PhD and Executive Education programs in engineering, IT, defence systems and project management that align to the sector’s needs in developing and transforming its future workforce.
Discover our specialised facilities, public spaces and enterprising connections.
Discover our research capabilities across similar industry sectors.
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Make an enquiry online or call us to discuss your idea
Australian students
Phone: +61 8 8302 2376
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry
International students
Phone: +61 8 9627 4854
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry
