DSTO and Adelaide Uni 'sign up' for future research

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and the University of Adelaide have extended their research collaboration with the signing of a Strategic Alliance which recognises existing research links and creates a framework for increased cooperation in the future.

The Alliance was signed recently at the university campus by Vice Chancellor Professor James McWha, Dr Nanda Nandagopal (Director, DSTO Systems Sciences Laboratory) and Mr Neil Bryans (Director, DSTO Information Sciences Laboratory).

"The signing of this Alliance is an important and significant occasion for both the University and DSTO as we cement our relationship and collaborate on our research efforts," Professor McWha said.

"This follows the establishment of DSTO-funded Chairs in Photonics and Microwave Radar at the University in March last year, which has led to an improved national engineering and research base that will be critical to future major acquisition programs for the Australian Defence Force."

Dr Nandagopal said the Strategic Alliance will assist a range of other cooperative teaching and research programs between DSTO and the University.

"While the current focus areas are microwave radar and photonics, other areas may be added in future," he said.

"The aim of this Alliance is to promote mutually beneficial communication between the Australian government and the University of Adelaide on all matters of strategic significance to Defence.

"This Alliance allows us to align relevant research groups at the University and DSTO to create Centres of Expertise and increase the level of research training available to Defence staff. The Alliance will also allow us to create and, where appropriate, commercialise new intellectual property arising from joint research projects."

Mr Bryans said the Alliance was another fine example of how DSTO is collaborating with academia and industry to strengthen the technology base available to Australia's defence.

"New products and technologies coming out of photonics and microwave radar research have a multitude of applications within Defence, including communications, phased-array radar and advanced electronic warfare systems," Mr Bryans said.

"The signing ensures a continued focus on emerging microwave radar and photonics technologies, with a particular emphasis on research with applications to Defence."

The signing of the Alliance was followed by a Radar Workshop at the University, to identify areas for collaboration between DSTO, the University's new Centre of Expertise in Microwave Radar and other relevant centres of expertise.