In 2008 the centre will commence operations with four key research programs: air platforms, maritime platforms, armour applications and propulsion systems.

This $82 million initiative will primarily operate out of Victoria. Both Government and industry are funding its development - with $30 million to be committed from the public purse and a further $52 million contribution coming from collaborative partners.

Plans for the centre include the establishment of an education and training program which will develop engineers and scientists with skills attractive to the defence industry and other research providers.

Small to medium enterprises are also set to benefit, with plans for the establishment of a technology transfer program to help them compete in the global manufacturing market.

The centre will adopt and apply world leading materials engineering capabilities that will be used to develop, integrate and validate new materials and manufacturing technologies across existing and planned Defence platforms and structures.

Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) Head Industry Division, Kerry Clarke, said that it’s likely that key outcomes will range from development of new armour for land vehicles to the remote assessment of battle damaged aircraft for repair and airworthiness.
“The initiative is likely to optimise machining techniques for difficult materials like titanium - which would allow Australian industry to compete globally for work in supply chains for many aerospace applications,” Mr Clarke said.

“DMO is particularly supportive of initiatives that sustain the innovative edge of Australian industry, academia and government agencies. The establishment of this centre fits well with the objectives of the Defence and Industry Policy; it’s really a key step in the implementation of that policy,” he said.

Mr Clarke suggested that the leverage gained by the combination of industrial skills and academic research was significant.

“The collaborative partners involved in this project each bring extensive experience to it. The Defence Materials Technology Centre will achieve outcomes or deliverables by combining university skills with the real needs of companies – key contributors from industry; and the proven expertise of Defence Science and Technology Organisation,” he said.

The major defence industry participants in the project include companies such as BAE Systems Australia, GKN Aerospace, BlueScope Steel, Surface Technology Coatings, Thales Australia and the Cooperative Research Centre for Advanced Composite Structures.