WA Defence R&D projects secure funding fillip
10 August 22
Grants have been awarded to eight defence research projects across Western Australia.
The West Australian government has awarded a combined $1.19 million in grants to eight local defence research projects via the Collaborative Research Grant program and the Defence and Research Teaming initiative
The newly funded projects involve research across a range of subjects, including maritime surveillance, modelling for tracking misinformation, and diver communication systems.
The recipients, which were selected among a pool of 29 applicants seeking up to $150,000 each, include:
| Project name | Lead Researcher |
| A compact non-cryogenic high-precision magnetic-field sensor for maritime surveillance | Senior lecturer Dilusha SilvaLed by UWA in collaboration with L3 Harris. |
| Advanced fabrication of cold atom traps for an Australian portable quantum optical clock | Dr William RickardLed by Curtin University in collaboration with UWA, University of Adelaide, and Australian National University. |
| Data-driven maintenance optimisation for the Collins Submarine Fleet | Professor Ryan LoxtonLed by Curtin University in collaboration with Australian Submarine Corporation. |
| Dynamic two-way communication using gestures for human-machine teaming | Dr Syed Zulqarnain GilaniLed by Edith Cowan University in collaboration with UWA, Chironix, Agili8, and Motium. |
| Eliminating the need for adaptive optics in satellite optical communications | Dr David GozzardLed by UWA in collaboration with Curtin University and Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station. |
| Expendable energy absorbing tamper material for restricting the effects of a surface mounted explosive charge | Dr Gérrard Eddy Jai PoinernLed by Murdoch University. |
| Psychologically informed mathematical modelling of misinformation spread | Dr Mengbin YeLed by Curtin University in collaboration with UWA. |
| Situational aware undersea acoustic diver communication system | Professor Yue RongLed by Curtin University in collaboration with ECU, O2 Metocean, and Precision Technic Defence |
WA’s Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia said the projects are “paving the way” for the “next-generation of defence technology”.
“The state government is committed to supporting these cutting-edge research programs, and ultimately contributing to Australia’s sovereign defence capability,” he said.
“Through the CRG, we are strengthening WA’s defence industry capabilities, commercialising emerging technologies and supporting the diversification of the state’s economy.”
Source: Defence Connect