Ten Australian innovators have won Pacific 2019 Innovation Awards, worth some $45,000. They were announced at the official opening by Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie, chairman of the event organiser and presented by the Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price
The winners include a research organisation that has developed a new rust‐proofing treatment for Navy warships and submarines; an SME which has developed a world‐leading portfolio of counter‐drone technologies in just 12 months; and a team of young innovators who have developed a sonar sensor management system for the Navy’s new Hunter‐class frigates.
The winners are:
• Pacific 2019 National Civil Innovation Award: DroneShield (NSW)
• Pacific 2019 National Defence Innovation Award: DMTC (VIC)
• Pacific 2019 Defence SME Innovation Grant ($15,000): EM Solutions (QLD)
• Pacific 2019 Young Civil Innovator Award ($15,000): Lawrence Marychurch,
• DroneShield (NSW)
• Pacific 2019 Young Defence Innovator Award ($15,000): Ryan McGrath, Thomas
• Churack and Jason Sardi, Thales Australia (NSW)
• Pacific 2019 Innovation Award for C4ISREW, Space, Cyber and Counter‐Drone Systems: Ultra Electronics Avalon Systems (SA)
• Pacific 2019 Innovation Award for Autonomous and Unmanned Systems: Advanced Navigation (NSW)
• Pacific 2019 Innovation Award for Platforms and Propulsion: DMTC (VIC)
In addition, two Award contenders won a High Commendation: EM Solutions and Ultra Electronics.
“Our Innovation Awards recognise and reward the creativity, achievements and sheer excellence of innovative Australian companies and individuals in the maritime and defence sectors,” Pacific 2019 CEO Ian Honnery said.
“Australia’s naval shipbuilding program will provide a spur for development and innovation for the next five decades. We want to ensure that Australian organisations are at the forefront of this innovation, commercialising the results of research and development as products and services that strengthen both our industry and our national defence capability.
“The mission of Pacific 2019 is to promote the development of Australian industrial, manufacturing and information/communications technology resources in the commercial maritime and naval defence sectors.”