Australian Defence Magazine Podcast

In this episode, Grant McHerron visits BAE Systems Australia to meet with Stuart Bryden, Business Development & Strategy Manager, and Farid Hasan, Program Manager - Autonomy, to discuss the state of autonomous systems.

We begin our discussion by exploring the company's long-standing involvement in autonomous systems, dating back nearly 40 years from programs like Nulka and ESSM. This history laid the groundwork for modern autonomy capabilities now seen on platforms such as Boeing's Ghost Bat and the Atlas UGV, via BAE Systems Australia’s Vehicle Management System.

Next, we delve into the specifics of these systems, including the vehicle management software developed internally at BAE Systems that handles navigation, system health monitoring, and mission planning for Ghost Bat, Atlas, and a fleet of the Army's M113s armoured personnel carriers. The discussion then shifts to the Atlas program, a large eight-wheel-drive platform with an automated turret designed from scratch to operate autonomously both on and off-road, complementing manned counterparts such as infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.

Furthermore, we examine how BAE Systems collaborates with partners such as TerraSense Analytics to enhance its autonomy suite through software and hardware integration, enabling faster development and deployment of capabilities like automatic target tracking. Finally, we consider the future trajectory of autonomy over the next decade, focusing on replacing humans in high-risk tasks for greater efficiency and asymmetric advantage.

Links:

BAE Systems Australia

https://www.baesystems.com/en-aus/what-we-do/innovation

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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 - © 2026

Grant McHerron asks Nigel Pittaway, Kylie Leonard, and Kirra Davey for their views on Day 1 of Land Forces 2026 which is being held in Perth. Lots of people, lots of buzz, and multiple announcements. Go to our Land Forces Day One website page for details: https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/land-forces-2026-day-1-coverage

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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 - © 2026

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Brett Hill, CEO and founder of Praetorian Aeronautics about scaling up counter uncrewed aerial systems capabilities and their partnership with Rheinmetall Defence Australia.

We begin our discussion by exploring the inspiration behind Praetorian's name, which stems from Brett’s fascination with ancient Roman history, specifically the Praetorian Guard who were seen as protectors of democracy during the Republic. We delve into Praetorian's core mission of building counter-UAS capabilities to neutralise enemy drones and protect both military personnel and civil society from threats that would target military bases, power plants, or hospitals.

Brett also introduces the Arrow autonomous interceptor system, now at TRL 7, powered by the Hadrian battle management system which fuses sensor data for situational awareness, and the Cerebrum AI system designed to enable one operator to manage multiple drone threats effectively while minimising collateral damage. We wrap up with a discussion of Praetorian's new partnership with Rheinmetall Defence Australia that is being announced at Land Forces 2026.

Links:

Praetorian Aeronautics

https://praetorian-aeronautics.com/

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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 - © 2026

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Kim Katheklakis, Managing Director at Amentum Australia, about the support services they provide the Australian Defence Force.

We begin our discussion by exploring Amentum's global services and history as a top 20 defence company. We delve into their specific support for the Australian Defence Force (ADF), covering areas like engineering, project management, logistics, cyber, and sustainment of platforms including the F-35, patrol boats and the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN). The conversation also highlights their expeditionary medical capabilities and building Australia's contested logistics expertise with experience the company has obtained working with the US military. We review their involvement with existing air traffic control systems such as ADATS and DDATMCS, and their involvement in the new combined civil/military system C-MATS.

We wrap up by examining Amentum’s recent joint venture with Laing O’Rourke concerning the Osborne shipyard project and the application of their experience with nuclear capabilities in the UK and USA.

Links:

Amentum Australia

https://www.amentum.com/markets/international/australia/

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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 - © 2026

In our latest Global Outlook, we revisit the bond market, look at the aftermath of Xi's visit to Washington, consider the implications of the war in Ethiopia's Tigray region, and what the US deal on Greenland could mean for Australia's Antarctic holdings.

Yields increasing on the US bond markets increases cost of their borrowing which makes it hard to spend as much as they want on their military and other discretionary spending. As has been seen many times, the bond markets have the power to make leaders hesitate and, in some cases, to end their careers. Following Xi Jinping's visit to Washington it seems that there was a lot of pomp and pagentry for no significant outcomes aside from further delaying decisions.

The Horn of Africa is once again in the news as a civil war within Ethiopia's Tigray province which is introducing problems on the Western side of the Red Sea. Further compounding the issue is their need to route shipping via Djbouti as the formation of Eritrea removed Ethiopia's access to the ocean. Ethiopia also claims Egypt and Sudan are funding the rebels along with Eritrea. It gets even more complicated when you consider that all of the main forces in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel and more have stakes in this region along with many other countries. This is a very complicated situation that's only getting worse.

Finally, we look at the USA's recent agreement with Greenland that doesn't get them anything more than they already had aside from a veto of other foreign powers building in Greenland, which Denmark had been blocking anyhow. This approach by the USA to block foreign powers from building there has implications for Antarctica where China is building yet another research base. It is not inconceivable that the USA could pressure Australia to remove China's bases, some of which are on areas of Antarctica claimed by Australia.

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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 - © 2026

Ewen Levick and Nigel Pittaway discuss program Land 8710 which is covering the build of Medium and Heavy Landing Craft plus an amphibious vehicle.

We start with an overview of the two classes of landing craft vessels, the small amphibious vehicle, and the programs indicated time frames, covering how the two landing craft compliment each other in their operational use cases given areas they're intended to work in and ranges they can cover. Next we look at Army's structure changes as documented in the 2024 and 2026 National Defence Strategy documents, changes that started as far back as 2023. These cover four major areas including Command & Control, emerging concepts, required capabilities, and the culture of Army itself, while also standing up three littoral manoeuvre units in Darwin, Townsville and Brisbane.

The discussion moves onto the difference between amphibious operations and littoral operations, while also considering the changes in Army which includes long range strike to support the littoral units. This will mean HiMARS and PrSM, NASAMS for Short Range Air Defence, and the as yet undecided Medium Range Air Defence capability. The latter is under Land 6504 and has been in & out of scope for some years now, despite medium range being just as important as short range in a layered air defence model. Meanwhile, Land 156 is likely to be involved for its Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems capabilities.

We wrap up with a discussion of Army Innovation Day which is happening with Chief of Army Day at Land Forces 2026 and will be focused on the littoral environment. This leads to Army's recent training soldiers in seacraft with Navy, changes in Army's involvement with Talisman Sabre 2027, and the observation that once the transition is completed, Army will be one of the largest littoral forces in the Western world.

Links:

Building an amphibious Army

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/building-an-amphibious-army

Birdon signs major Land 8710 contract

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/defence/land/birdon-signs-major-land-8710-contract

Army LCM fleet to use Kongsberg Kamewa waterjets

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/army-lcm-fleet-to-use-kongsberg-kamewa-waterjets

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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 - © 2026

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Sean MacKirdy, Elastic's Area VP of National Security, about the rapid extraction of intelligence from oceans of information.

We begin our discussion by exploring Elastic’s role in powering everyday technologies like Uber and Netflix and delve into Sean MacKirdy's career journey from Silicon Graphics and Cisco to Elastic. We get an insight into Elastic’s search capabilities for rapid intelligence extraction and how it uses AI to process diverse data sources. This leads to a discussion on navigating secured storage environments, including air-gapped systems, and ensuring critical information can be accessed securely while maintaining a common operating picture across networks. Our discussion addresses the vital topic of preventing AI from causing data spills when accessing multi-classified information, and the importance of maintaining human involvement in decision making despite AI's speed advantages.

We wrap up by reinforcing the importance of clear accountability mechanisms and ensuring responsible implementation when deploying AI in critical sectors.

Links:

Elastic

https://www.elastic.co/

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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 - © 2026

This is another of our Global Outlook series where we discuss the latest global geopolitical developments that we're keeping an eye on.

We start with the developing story of RAAF F-35 parts being shipped to USA for servicing being diverted to Hong Kong and winding up in Chinese hands, including a canopy which could provide China with classified information. We also look at Xi Jinping's visit to the USA for a summit with President Trump, including whether trade will be impacted, the US$14bn arms sale to Taiwan that Trump is delaying, and the continuing mutual deterrence that is providing some form of strategic stability.

Xi Jinping is in the USA to meet with Trump. Will the supply of rare earths continue as per South Korean agreement? Multual deterrance giving some strategic stability. Will the US continue with the $14bn arms sale to Taiwan or use it as a bargaining chip?

We wrap with a look at recent Russian manoeuvring near Estonia and the potential for the border township of Narva to become a point where Russia tests a weakened NATO's resolve over Article 5. Infiltrating Russian special forces into a Russian speaking town on the border to then act as separatists seeking independence is a move from Russia's playbook that we've seen occur in Crimea and in Ukraine.

Links:

Classified Australian F-35 parts disappear in Hong Kong

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/classified-australian-f-35-parts-disappear-in-hong-kong

F-35 freight provider partnered with blacklisted Chinese company

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/f-35-freight-provider-partnered-with-blacklisted-chinese-company

What China Wants from the Washington Summit

https://www.sinification.org/p/what-china-wants-from-the-washington

What a Limited Russian Incursion Into Estonia Might Look Like: A Narva Scenario

https://understandingwar.org/research/defense-of-europe/what-a-limited-russian-incursion-into-estonia-might-look-like-a-narva-scenario/

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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 - © 2026

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick, Nigel Pittaway and Kirra Davey discuss a few recent news items of interest.

We open with the news that DroneShield are working with AIM Defence to include their Fractl laser based C-UAS product in DroneShield's ecosystem of detectors, jammers and C2 products. We also note their DroneSentry-X Mk2 product is being used in the USA. The discussion then moves on to news relating to AUKUS, including the US GAO's report showing that, to the end of 2025, US nuclear submarines had a very large number of "inactive" days across the fleet, either waiting for maintenance or waiting to be decommissioned, during which time they were required to be crewed while tied up at a pier.

On further AUKUS news, we also look at the UK government delaying their purchase of new attack submarines plus the indication that design work is only half way completed, which tends to cast doubt on a previous statement a few years ago from our Navy that the design was 70% complete. We also discuss a UK report on issues with production of the nuclear reactors required for the Dreadnaught and SSN AUKUS submarines, which could further delay SSN AUKUS production for Australia. Both the US and UK reports highlight the need for government watchdogs to be able to publically identify issues and hold governments and militaries to task about their ability to deliver on major projects.

We wrap with feedback from our previous News Review episode which confirmed that the StrikeMaster vehicle used in the NATO exercise had a right hand drive configuration.

Links:

DroneShield:

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/droneshield-expands-open-counter-drone-architecture

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/us-accepts-droneshield-dronesentry-x-mk2-on-isvs

AUKUS

https://news.usni.org/2026/09/01/gao-report-on-attack-submarine-maintenance-challenges

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2026/09/12/labour-delays-buying-new-attack-submarines/

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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 - © 2026

This is another of our Global Outlook series where we discuss the latest global geopolitical developments that we're keeping an eye on.

We start by quickly noting that Canada is seeking to become an associate member of the EU in order to balance against threats from the United States, while there are rumours of Xi Jinping's possible health issues which, true or not, highlight the impacts to China's leadership if he should pass without an heir. A situation which would also apply to Russia should Putin's health give out.

Moving on we look at Kevin Rudd's recent speach at the Australian Institute of International Affairs where he highlighted the size of our coastline and our dependence on trade to justify the need for a World Class Navy and nuclear attack submarines. While we do not disagree about the need for a world class navy, we note our concerns at the number of maritime and joint capabilities that have been cancelled or reduced in order to fund AUKUS. The list is long and that's not even including purely Army or Air Force capabilities. We also note that Canada has a longer coastline than Australia and they have purchased advanced diesel electric submarines from TKMS, not nuclear boats. We also note that if we want to protect trade, our largest trade partner is China, but we are justifying AUKUS as defence against China. Our concern is that we will not have a world class Navy if we keep defunding new and updated capabilities while not funding sustainment to the levels our current Navy requires.

Next up is, of course, the Houthis taking control of Western Yemen and being in the perfect position to deny Saudi vessels access to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. We note that the Saudi's lack of embedded officers with the Yemenis to coordinate strikes from long range fires or aircraft meant that there were no airstrikes on the Houthis. We also discuss the USA declining to support the Saudis and that Iran now has some level of control over two critical oil routes.

From there we look at Stephen Miller's claims that rule of power and might is now the way of the world, as it previous has been, ignoring the evidence that demonstrates the fallacy of this argument: Iran hasn't capitulated and Greenland hasn't been invaded. If anything this reinforces the power of the bond market and how the USA remains tied to NATO as the USA's senior leadership becomes an echo chamber following the loss of so many experienced staff from the State Department and Department of Defence.

We wrap by returning to nuclear attack submarines and note that, while they are incredible and powerful elements of a world class navy, they are not the solution to everything. A balanced force is required for a world class Navy and Australia is not committing the funds required to ensure it has one.

Links:

Utopia clip regarding boosting defence to protect our trade with China from China

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgspkxfkS4k

Stephen Miller Says ‘Nobody’s Going To Fight’ US Over Greenland

https://www.newsweek.com/stephen-miller-says-no-one-will-fight-us-over-greenland-11312514

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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 - © 2026