The Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) and Raytheon Australia today signed a strategic alliance to strengthen collaboration on defence technologies.
The agreement was signed by the Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Alex Zelinsky and Mr Michael Ward, Managing Director of Raytheon Australia during DST’s Partnership Week activities in Melbourne.
“The agreement with Raytheon marks the 14th such alliance we have now signed with our strategic partners in industry and the research sector. I welcome this partnership,” Dr Zelinsky said.
“Our ability to achieve Strategic Defence Objectives relies on critical support from Australian defence industry to deliver leading-edge innovation and research.”
Mr Michael Ward said, “Raytheon Australia is pleased to commit to this new strategic alliance with the Defence Science and Technology Group. We look forward to building innovation with DST Group, drawing on our extensive experience as a combat systems integrator and our trusted partnerships with industry, government and also educational institutions.”
The new alliance will see both organisations collaborate in strategically significant research areas such as cyber/electronic warfare systems, hypersonics, naval combat systems, underwater systems, operational analysis and quantum technology.
“The cementing of this on-going close relationship with Raytheon Australia is mutually beneficial because no single scientific organisation can achieve the advances we need for Defence capability without significant science and technology collaboration,” Dr Zelinsky said.
The alliance allows for a range of research interactions, including exchange of information, separate agreements on interactive projects, staff secondments and access to each other’s facilities and equipment.
Naval Combat Systems Analysis has been selected as the first research topic to be developed into an Interactive Project Agreement under the alliance.
“Raytheon is enthusiastic about working with DST on naval combat system analysis, centred on accurately modelling combat systems performance,” Mr Ward said.
“Raytheon is a capable submarine and ship combat systems integrator with a proven record, and we are well placed to understand the practical benefits to complex program management that this modelling could bring to platform sea trials,” he added.