Australia funds military technology development

CANBERRA, Australia, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The Australian Department of Defense is funding seven organizations to advance the development of technologies that could advance military capabilities.

The funding, granted under the Capability and Demonstrator Program, managed by the Defense Science and Technology Group, is about $10 million.

The technologies include a low-profile body armor; a miniaturized wide-band, low-noise radio frequency antenna; a mobile x-ray imager for use during field deployments for detecting improvised explosive devices; a stealthy unmanned surface vessel to track submarines and torpedoes; a tactile flight display that improves helicopter safety in poor visibility and threat environments; technology to securely transmit three-dimensional geospatial data to ships at sea; and a low-cost, high-G centrifuge for simulators used in pilot training.

"These proposals have the potential to advance Defense capability, produce innovative products for defense and civilian use, and stimulate Australian industry growth." Yhe Department of Defense said.

Receiving the funding are Armor Composite Engineering, CSIRO, Micro-X Pty Ltd, Ocius Technology, University of Canberra, the Bureau of Meteorology, and Deakin University.

The Capability and Technology Demonstrator Program began in 1997. Since then, $191.4 million has been given for 118 projects, half of them by small-to-medium business enterprises.