In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Phil Guy, Managing Director of Alkath and Darrel Madden Manager for Testing and Training at Mellori Solutions QLD, regarding updates in the world of electronic warfare over the past year.

We begin our discussion by getting an overview of Darrel’s career and time in the army, then review the major lessons learned from Ukraine and the Middle East, particularly around the rapid development and delivery life cycles, and evaluating tradeshow presentations against the reality of the battlefield. We also explore the difficulties of testing EM Spectrum weapons that are considered to ‘break’ exercises, how training can be improved to better address EW technologies, and how security classifications and legacy systems have restricted the training of AI. 

We wrap up by getting an insight into their Blue Jay Mobile test and emitter system, and how it has been received in the market following its launch in November 2024.

Links:

Alkath

alkath.group

Mellori Solutions' Blue Jay

mellori.com.au/?products=blue-jay

Mellori Solutions launches portable radiofrequency testing system

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/mellori-solutions-launches-portable-radiofrequency-testing-system

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Nigel Pittaway review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

The big news item that has captured a lot of attention has been the announcement that Japan's upgraded Mogami-class frigate has been selected for Project Sea 3000. We discuss the "already in the water" concept, interoperability, controlling design changes, the state of Henderson, whether any will be built in Australia, and the government's announcement of the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement with Austal.

We then move on to the recent announcement that the US has approved a Baseline 2 upgrade for our new MC-55A Peregrines before the first aircraft is even delivered. With references to "squeezing an EC-135 into a Gulfstream G550" its no surprise the project is running behind schedule but the capability will be very impressive when it arrives.

We wrap up with a reminder that ADM's 30 Under 30 Awards for 2025 have opened so its time to get your nominations in for consideration.

Links:

Japan to build Australia's new general purpose frigates

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/japan-to-build-australia-s-new-general-purpose-frigates

More on Mogami

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/more-on-mogami

Peregrine upgrade wins approval

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/peregrine-upgrade-wins-approval

ADM 30 Under 30 Awards 2025 entries are now open

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/adm-30-under-30-awards-2025-entries-are-now-open

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this episode, Grant McHerron and Steve Visscher talk with Christian Gutierrez, Vice President Hive Mind Solutions, and Mark Palmer, Vice President of Vision Systems, at Shield AI. The discussion covers Shield AI's presence in Australia and the work they are performing here that is in use around the world.

We start our discussion by getting an overview of Christian and Mark’s roles with Shield AI and the company's history providing intelligence systems for defence. We also discuss how AI autonomy can be combined with the Visual Detection and Ranging (ViDAR) system to reduce the number of operators required for ISR drones. We next review the range of products and services that Shield AI can provide to Defence, the importance of local recruitment and development, and how their AI technologies differentiate from competitors with extensive experience and small foot print hardware. Our discussion also explores the range of opportunities that drones and AI offer, how Shield AI assesses the ongoing AUKUS agreement, and the calls for increased spending on defence. 

We wrap up by reviewing the lessons learned from Ukraine in regards to the high pace of technological development, designing solutions so they can be manufactured easily in new locations, and the importance of sovereign capability.

Links:

Shield AI

shield.ai

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Mark Schneider, UBH Group’s Chief Nuclear Officer, about aligning the Defence industry with the AUKUS supply chain apparatus.

We kick off our discussion by getting an overview of Mark’s career and UBH’s history starting in 2020 providing IT and security services, and we review the role that the Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act of 2024 plays in regulating Defence contractors and suppliers, with insights into how ISO 19443 ensures that authorised parties are in compliance with the law. The discussion also explores the technicalities of how licenses and certifications are zoned and approved, the costs and risks involved with meeting compliance, and how the Australian Submarine Agency is undertaking the steps involved in establishing national standards and certifications.

We wrap up by discussing the certification process, how Australia should prepare for nuclear submarines, and UBH Group is building an AI tool to assist SME’s in meeting standards.

LINKS:

UBH Group

www.ubhgroup.com.au

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We kick off with the news that the government has announced a first block of contracts worth about $19 million under the Land 156 program. A number of companies are included, such as Droneshied which received about one third of the funds, and a Ukrainian drone detector system called Sugar V that is carried by soldiers to warn them of approaching drones. There's more to be announced though as there was no mention of a system integrator nor other companies that provide kinetic and energy weapons for destroying drones. Hopefully the procurements include access to on-going updates over the life of the gear as the Ukranian battlefield is demonstrating the speed of change and critical need to stay current.

The discussion then moved on to the recent firing of a US Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) during Talisman Sabre from a US HiMARS vehicle that had been flown to Christmas Island by a Canadian CC-177 (aka C-17A) with target coordinates supplied by the ADF. We look at the likely range of the PrSM and the control over sea lanes that such a weapon can provide Australia, especially with the "Shoot and Scoot" capability thanks to the vehicle being deployed by an airlifter. This is aligned with the DSR's focus on long range missiles and the potential for sovereign build via GWEO.

We also mention the Japanese Ground Self Defence Force firing two missiles at a NSW range which took separate sea skimming paths to simultaneously hit the same target from different directions.

Sticking with Talisman Sabre, we wrap up by discussing Hoverfly supplying their Sentry Tethered UAS to the ADF through the Australian company Maser Defence for trials at major exercises during 2025. Although neither company could provide more information, it is very likely that it has been used at Talisman Sabre to perform the role of a communications relay. We also discuss how news of this was not circulated to Australian media and the efforts required to obtain information for the article.

Links:

Popular Ukrainian drone detector amongst Land 156 winners

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/popular-ukrainian-drone-detector-amongst-land-156-winners

Talisman Sabre trials long-range fires

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/talisman-sabre-trials-long-range-fires

Hoverfly Tethered UAS in Trials During Major ADF Exercises

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/hoverfly-tethered-uas-in-trials-during-major-adf-exercises

ADM Women in Defence Network

admwomenindefencenetwork.com.au

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Joshua Stewart, a director at Luminact, about changes and challenges with Defence's engagement with industry, the Global Supply Chain Program, and exporting beyond the Australian market.

We begin our discussion with a summary of Josh's career to date, and review Luminact’s project services throughout Defence and beyond. We get an insight into how Defence is engaging with industry and the balance of sovereign and international investment and production, the role that SME’s play in vertically integrating with national and global programs, and the difficulties related with retaining talent in the long term. 

We wrap up by getting Joshua’s views on the Global Supply Chain Program, and why Luminact is interested in exporting its services internationally.

LINKS:

Luminact

luminact.com.au

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We start with the news that the first Black Hawks have moved to South East Queensland and that the Romeo fleet has reached 50,000 total flying hours. This leads into a discussion on the changing world of combat helicopters as Korea cancels its order for more Apaches and lessons from Ukraine regarding survivability. The conversation expands to look at the concept of platform obsolescence and refactoring how we use large, exquisite platforms in today's environment.

We then move onto the cancellation of JP 9102 and subsequent return as SPA 9102 although reduced to cover only narrowband SATCOMs which indicates the original was cut due budget, not capability. This leads to reduced capabilities, loss of workers to other industries, foreign companies and governments starting to lose interest in bidding on ADF programs, and frustration from our government that Defence isn't delivering fast enough.

We wrap with a quick chat about the importance of space for civilian and Defence usage, QuantX and the University of Adelaide using quantum clocks for precision timing, and conducting operations in GPS denied environments.

Links:

Black Hawk fleet returns to South East Queensland

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/black-hawk-fleet-returns-to-south-east-queensland

MH-60R Seahawk fleet reaches 50k flying hours

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/mh-60r-seahawk-fleet-reaches-50k-flying-hours

Defence re-visits JP9102

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/defence-re-visits-jp9102

Defence backflip on JP9102 reveals funding pressure

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/defence-backflip-on-jp-9102-reveals-funding-pressure

QuantX and University of Adelaide to advance quantum clock technologies

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/quantx-and-university-of-adelaide-to-advance-quantum-clock-technologies

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this episode, Grant McHerron catches up with Christian Gutierrez, Vice President of Hivemind Engineering at Shield AI, while they were both at Avalon, to discuss the company's presence at the show.

We start with a quick review of Christian's career plus the history and overview of Shield AI, before we talk about their Hivemind modular framework for autonomous systems and its use on drones and trials on an F-16. Christian talks about their successes in Ukraine with one of their V-BAT ISR drones and its ViDAR automated target recognition system. We also look at human on the loop systems, accessing suitable data for training AI systems, and engaging with the US DoD on autonomous systems.

The episode wraps up with an overview of Shield AI's engagement with global partners, their purchase in 2024 of Sentient Vision Systems, and their interest in engaging with Australian defence industry.

LINKS:

Shield AI

shield.ai

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron and Ewen Levick review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We start off with the big topic of the USA bombing Iran with the deception of B-2s going West, Israel's air superiority reducing the assets required, and the first combat use of the GBU-57 Massive Ordinance Penetrators. While this will have caused havoc for Iran's centrifuges we note that wars are very easy to start but very hard to stop and discuss bombing from the air working best in support of a ground campaign.

This leads to a discussion on the USAF B-2s achieving the remote, deep strike mission that the AUKUS submarines are supposed to achieve. Would a squadron of B-21s be cheaper and more effective or are there other ways to meet our goals that are more inline with Australia's economic capabilities? After all, Ukraine is showing that it's possible to defend your shores from a more powerful fleet with inexpensive drones so perhaps Australia should reassess what works best for our budget?

That said, a recent report in War On The Rocks indicates that FPV drones are only succeeding 20-30% of the time and that well placed mortar rounds are more cost effective. Once again, there is no silver bullet and FPV drones become yet another weapon in the armory of capabilities that need to be used together to achieve results.

We wrap with a quick discussion about CIVMEC acquiring Luerssen Australia, the upcoming South Australian Defence Summit in July and the Western Australia Defence Forum in August, both of which ADM will be attending. Come and say Hi if you see us there.

Links:

Why FPV drones kind of suck

warontherocks.com/2025/06/i-fought-in-ukraine-and-heres-why-fpv-drones-kind-of-suck

CIVMEC to acquire Luerssen Australia

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/civmec-to-acquire-luerssen-australia

ADM South Australian Defence Summit

admevents.com.au/adm-south-australian-defence-summit

Western Australia Defence Summit

admevents.com.au/western-australia-defence-forum

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this episode, we include the audio from ADM's inaugural Women in Defence Network breakfast in Melbourne held on 3rd June 2025. This was the first in a national series spotlighting leadership, innovation, and inclusion in the defence sector.

Kylie Leonard, founder of the Network, opened the morning and welcomed attendees to the new national initiative. She then introduces Gwen Cohen, Director of Public Sector and Alliances at Dassault Systèmes who provided the keynote presentation for the event.

Gwen explores the current and emerging role of artificial intelligence in defence, addressing its application across operations, logistics, training, and decision-making. Delegates also had the opportunity to engage with Dassault Systèmes’ digital engineering technologies and see how they are being used in real-world defence contexts.

The next ADM Women in Defence Network event will be in Sydney on the 24th July.

LINKS:

ADM Women in Defence Network

ADMwomenindefencenetwork.com.au

Dassault Systemes breakfast slide packs

admwomenindefencenetwork.com.au/event/adm-women-in-defence-and-national-security-breakfast-hosted-by-dassault-systemes

Video of the Breakfast Event

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6qhOQvXrd8

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher