Australian + New Zealand Defence Directory 20/21

AUSTRALIAN + NEW ZEALAND DEFENCE DIRECTORY 2020/21 INDUSTRY GROUPS, ASSOCIATIONS & GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS www. d e f e n c e . d i r e c t o r y 39 DST communicates with industry and the wider science and technology community by liaising with state governments, industry associations, and a range of representative bodies. DST recognises that small and medium en- terprises (SMEs) are a significant source of innovation and are also agile in taking up new opportunities. DST engages through the net- work of industry associations and other bod- ies as the primary means to communicate with the SME community. SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY (STAR) SHOTS STaR Shots are challenging, inspirational and aspirational science and technology missions designed to focus industry and the science and technology community on Defence’s big- gest problems. They are designed to drive the evolution of innovation pathways, from funda- mental research and development through to prototyping and transition into capability. Guided by Defence’s future force priorities, STaR Shots set the direction for strategic re- search and development. Early engagement with industry, academia and publicly-funded research agencies will be used to build the scale of expertise and innovation needed to solve these complex problems. Specific part- nerships will be based on measures such as technical capability, security, infrastructure, co-investment, and the ability to collaborate and translate outcomes into impact. An initial set of eight STaR Shots have been established: Agile Command and Control; Quantum-Assured Position, Navigation and Timing; Remote Undersea Surveillance; Battle-Ready Platforms; Operating in CBRN Environments; Disruptive Weapons Effects; Resilient Multi-Mission Space; and Informa- tion Warfare. As our strategic context evolves, new STaR Shots will be established to ensure that capabilities aligned to Defence’s needs continue to be delivered. NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES FUND The Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF), managed by DST, is one of the key Defence innovation programs implemented from the 2016 Defence White Paper and Defence Industry Policy Statement. Together with the Defence Innovation Hub and the Centre for Defence Industry Capability, they form the integrated Defence Innovation Sys- tem. The NGTF works with industry and aca- demia focusing on research and development in emerging and future technologies. The Australian Government’s July 2020 De- fence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan has extended investment for Defence industry through the fund. The fund will make further investments worth about $1.2 billion over the next decade. The NGTF supports a number of programs, such as Grand Challenges, Defence Cooperative Re- search Centres, university research networks, technology fore-sighting through the EDTAS series, Defence research accelerators, and the Small Business Innovation Research for Defence (SBIRD) program. BENEFITS FOR AUSTRALIA’S WEALTH AND SECURITY DST’s efforts to partner and transfer technol- ogy to Australian industry have several ben- efits for Australia’s wealth and security. The Australian Defence Force benefits from the evolution of sustainable, competitive Australian defence industry capabilities and the savings delivered by improved technol- ogy and products tailored to meet is require- ments. Australian businesses, including SMEs, ben- efit from exposure to DST’s research base, introduction to new technology and Defence markets, the development of spinoff products with civilian applications, and income from domestic sales and exports. DST benefits through experience gained dur- ing the widespread application of its technol- ogy and expertise, enabling it to enhance its research base. Further Information Director National Partnerships Science Engagement and Impact Division DST Edinburgh SA 5111 www.dst.defence.gov.au National Partnerships P: +61 8 7389 7002 E: partnerwithdstgroup@dst.defence.gov.au CAPABILITY ACQUISITION AND SUSTAINMENT GROUP The Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG) is part of the Department of Defence. In 2019-20 CASG spent more than $14.9 billion acquiring and sustaining mili- tary equipment. CASG employs nearly 5000 people in around 70 locations in Australia and overseas. CASG manages the delivery of more than 200 complex projects and 110 sustainment products in partnership with industry. These nationally significant projects are unparalleled in their size, cost, timescale, risk profile and level of technological complexity to deliver cutting edge capabilities to the Australian De- fence Force (ADF). CASG works closely with industry to ensure these projects are executed effectively and efficiently in line with contracted requirements to ensure the required level of capability is de- livered to the ADF on behalf of Government. CASG has five domains which work with De- fence industry to purchase and maintain mili- tary equipment: • Air • Land • Maritime • Joint Systems • Business Management CASG has implemented a ‘smart buyer’ framework which is reliant on enhanced re- lationships with industry which provides ex- pertise in managing projects during the ac- quisition and sustainment phases. The ‘smart buyer’ model also allows CASG to focus on planning and governance while industry fo- cuses on the execution. CASG expects industry support to Defence to be both effective (meeting contracted re- quirements) and efficient (delivering on agreed cost reduction targets over the life of contracts). Defence and industry continue to work together to strengthen relationships, improve performance and innovate. Further Information Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group Department of Defence PO Box 7953 Canberra BC 2610 W: www.defence.gov.au/CASG