The Defence Science Institute (DSI), a partnership between the Department of Defence and the University of Melbourne, will help create smarter defence solutions and deliver the benefits of increased academic engagement.
Defence will contribute through the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) while Melbourne University will be supported by the Victorian Government.
Victoria’s Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development has committed $3 million in funding, over the next three years, to support six initial research topics:
• biological systems,
• human protection and performance,
• signature management,
• energy and propulsion systems,
• micro-radar technologies, and
• intelligent information systems.
DSTO will invest more than $2.5 million, in cash and in-kind support, throughout the three-year period.
Additionally, the University of Melbourne will contribute some $11.5 million equivalent.
The DSI’s technical objectives, including improved detection of concealed targets, and advanced control systems for future electro-mechanical land and sea-based propulsion systems, will directly enhance defence capabilities.
Finding inexpensive and unobtrusive ways to monitor human interactions associated with disease transmission, and improving decision-making under difficult environmental stressors, is likely to aid defence personnel safety.
The DSI provides a vehicle for a diversity of leading researchers and innovators to work collaboratively and within five years the DSI expects to expand its network of researchers, to embrace those employed by SMEs and major Defence companies.
Once fully operational, the Centre will also play a role in the training and mentoring of PhD students in associated fields of study.
It will also provide strategically focused, project-based seed funding, to help attract and inspire the next generation of defence scientists and create real opportunities for researchers who may otherwise be excluded from this fundamentally important band of research and development.