A range of new technologies with the potential to enhance Defence capability will be developed under the latest round of the Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) program administered by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO). The CTD Program provides industry with an opportunity to demonstrate how their technology can enhance Defence capability. It allows Defence and industry to take and share risks and rewards in exploring useful technology developments.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald has announced $26 million in funds to develop a range of 14 new technologies, including an enhanced missile detection system for Navy, designed to improve warning time and increase the chances of surviving an attack. “Another proposed development is a personnel location device for soldiers, designed to reduce the likelihood of friendly forces engaging each other in battle,” he said.

“Enhancing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capabilities feature in the latest round with one proposal aiming to develop a real-time vision system that will be able to track small moving targets in the field.” “Anti-terrorism measures are also a priority with a proposal for a
remotely controlled bomb disposal robot that provides the operator with touch and feel capabilities that enable unexploded devices to be safely disarmed,” he said.

“The new proposals received from industry under the CTD program are further examples of Australian innovation and our ability to develop world-leading technologies,” Senator Macdonald said. “These proposals are not only innovative and imaginative but they are
designed to give Defence an operational edge.” Senator Macdonald said the new technologies could result in major savings
for Defence, spin-offs for civilian applications and provide export opportunities.

The CTD program was first funded in July 1998 and presently comprises 35 active demonstrators. To date, about $140 million has been allocated to various projects.