Defence News 2008
Chief Scientist puts farewell in the equation - 29 February 2008
Dr Roger Lough
29 February 2008
Born in the UK, Dr Roger Lough joined the then Department of Supply in 1963 and studied at Adelaide University where he obtained a PhD in Physical Chemistry in 1974, winning the prize for the best thesis in the physical sciences for that year.
Dr Lough undertook research in tactical rocket propulsion at the Department's Salisbury (SA) laboratories until 1976 when he gained a Harkness Fellowship to study and work in rocket propulsion with the US Army and the US Navy. From 1978 to 1983 Dr Lough led a section concerned with formulating and demonstrating advanced weapon concepts for the ADF.
From late 1983 to early 1987, he was posted to the Australian Embassy in Washington as the Defence Science Attache with responsibility for liaison across a wide spectrum of R&D in the USA and Canada, including technology transfer issues and joint projects.
Dr Lough was appointed Superintendent (later Chief) of the Salisbury (SA) based Guided Weapons Division of DSTO in 1987. In early 1992, he moved to Melbourne as the Chief of Aircraft Systems Division. This Division became Air Operations Division (AOD) when the Flight Mechanics functions were incorporated in 1993. AOD is responsible for operational level analysis and systems research and advice in avionics and other air related technologies for the ADF.
In January 1996, Dr Lough was transferred back to DSTO's South Australian laboratories as Chief of Land, Space and Optoelectronics Division. The Space and Optoelectronic functions were relocated in 1997 and the core land functions expanded to form Land Operations Division with Dr Lough as the inaugural Chief. This Division performs operational analysis and systems research for the land force.
Dr Lough moved to Canberra in 2000 to take up the position of First Assistant Secretary, Science Policy. In this role he was responsible for the formulation of Science and Technology policy for DSTO and the ADF, oversight of DSTO's external interactions and program management procedures and implementation.
In early 2002 he was appointed Director of DSTO's Platforms Sciences Laboratory in Melbourne.
In September 2003, he was appointed Chief Defence Scientist and head of the Defence Science & Technology Organisation.
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