From developing artificial intelligence for Australia’s Future Submarines to determining whole-of-health diagnosis for defence vehicles, Flinders University researchers are at the forefront of innovative new defence projects being supported by the injection of fresh funding.

The Defence Innovation Partnership has announced it will award almost $695,000 through its second round of Collaborative Research Grants, to stimulate the progression of cutting-edge defence research projects based in South Australia.

Flinders will be involved in four of five funded research projects, aimed at enhancing the next-generation Australian Defence Force across key priority areas.

SA Premier Steven Marshall said the projects will provide the opportunity to develop ground-breaking defence capabilities and cement South Australia’s position as a hub for defence innovation.

“These projects will see researchers from South Australia’s world-class universities collaborate with defence industry as well as national and international partners to solve some of Defence’s complex technology problems,” he said.

“This level of collaboration will grow a talent pool of defence researchers and drive innovation, which will enhance our industry capability ahead of the major defence projects centred in South Australia.

“Since it was established in January 2018, the Defence Innovation Partnership has made great strides in driving defence research and development collaboration across government, industry and academia.”

Flinders University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor Robert Saint said the new round of funding serves as a powerful endorsement of Flinders’ valuable contributions in defence research.

“The knowledge and technology we are fostering is providing a solid platform for growth in employment and the South Australian economy,” said Professor Saint.

In April this year, the Defence Innovation Partnership provided $600,000 to support four projects through its inaugural Collaborative Research Grants program.

The Defence Innovation Partnership fosters collaboration across the Federal Government, through Defence Science and Technology, industry, South Australia’s three universities, and the South Australian Government.

Chair of the Defence Innovation Partnership Advisory Board Kim Scott said the projects were a selected pool of high-quality applications and demonstrate the Defence Innovation Partnership’s success in fostering collaborative research activity.

“We are extremely pleased by the robust collaborations we have seen through the Collaborative Research Grants program. The Defence Innovation Partnership will work with all applicants, including those not funded, to find pathways to continue their research and development.”

The five funded projects are:

• $150,000 for Human-Machine interfaces for detecting, monitoring and managing psychological stress, led by the University of Adelaide with partners the University of South Australia, Flinders University, ElectroAutoMedics and Defence Science and Technology.
• $150,000 for AI Enabling Australia’s Future Submarine, led by Acacia Systems Pty Ltd with partners The University of Adelaide, Flinders University, Defence Science and Technology and Lockheed Martin.
• $150,000 for Miniaturised Orbital Electronic Warfare Sensor System (MOESS) – Phase 1, led by DEWC Systems with partners Defence Science and Technology, Flinders University, The University of Adelaide and University of South Australia.
• $150,000 for engineering, design and lab based testing a whole of vehicle Health Usage Monitoring System (vHUMS) for defence vehicles, led by the Dynamic Engineering Solution Pty Ltd with partners Defence Science and Technology, The University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University.
• $94,700 for identifying combat and combat-related stigma through the language of a deployed Australian military population, led by the University of South Australia with partners The University of Adelaide, Defence Science and Technology, and The Road Home.