Defence

Defence Science and Technology Organisation

Taking on technology

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald (centre), discusses the work of the Ballistics Laboratory at DSTO Maribyrnong with the Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Roger Lough (right) and Defence scientist Janine Costa.
Photo by Marree Dixon

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation's (DSTO) contribution to existing and emerging defence capability has been demonstrated in two key areas.

Enhancing soldier protection

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald, has witnessed a demonstration of a new ballistic material that could enhance protection for Australian soldiers in the future.

Senator Macdonald said Defence was working with industry to develop the most suitable equipment and materials that would improve safety for Australian soldiers.

New ceramic and composite materials and fabrication technologies are being developed to produce lightweight, low-cost, high-performance helmet and body armour for Australia's Defence personnel.

Australian Defence Apparel Pty Ltd is developing the new material under the DSTO Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program.

'We are constantly striving to introduce new capabilities that will reduce the burden on our soldiers and allow them to operate more effectively and safely, and this development shows promise in that direction,' Senator Macdonald said.

The CTD Program was established in 1998 to enable industry to demonstrate how advanced technology can provide significant enhancement in priority areas of Defence capability. There are currently 35 active CTD projects.

The Lightweight Ballistic Armour Project is a collaborative arrangement between Defence, the Australian Defence Apparel company, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the manufacturing research centre at Deakin University.

New Centre of Expertise

South Australia's ability to support complex defence projects such as the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) will be boosted by the launch of a new Centre of Expertise. The new centre was announced by Senator Macdonald on 22 March.

DSTO and the University of South Australia have signed a three-year agreement to establish the centre and boost Defence's Systems Integration capability.

'This new centre will benefit complex defence projects such as the AWD, which will be built in South Australia, requiring deep technical expertise as well as sound systems engineering and systems architecture practices,' Senator Macdonald said.

'The Centre of Expertise is a long-term strategic engagement to build capability in systems integration skills in Australian defence and industry sectors,' he said.

The centre will provide a research and education framework to address key systems integration issues. DSTO's Deputy Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Nanda Nandagopal, described the new centre as a move to ensure that trade skills shortages did not compromise major and complex defence acquisition projects.

'DSTO is tackling this issue head-on by drawing on expertise within DSTO, including the deployment of its system integration laboratories, industry and the universities to build a national capability in the integration of complex systems,' he said.

Games security

Senator Macdonald has also acknowledged the work of a team of Defence scientists who supported the Australian Defence Force's Incident Response Regiment in providing security support for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Senator Macdonald congratulated staff from DSTO for their behind-the-scenes work to ensure the safety and security of all personnel at Games venues.

'DSTO provided specialised support to the Incident Response Regiment in the event of having to prevent or deal with any incident involving a chemical or biological hazard,' Senator Macdonald said.

The DSTO scientists were part of the Defence contribution to the Commonwealth Games, known as Operation Acolyte. Defence personnel were ready to assist the Victorian Police and other emergency authorities in dealing with any threat or emergency.

'Much of the work of our Defence scientists is not visible but made an enormous difference to the successful staging of this high-profile public event,' Senator Macdonald said.

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