Defence & Security Podcast Network

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Seeing Machines general manager Patrick Nolan and flight simulation and training lead Alexander Robinson join host Phil Tarrant to discuss the work that they are completing in the human factors science sector to create AI technology that observes driver habits and attention, and the opportunities that such technology is presenting in training within the RAAF. They will reflect on the history of the company, having been founded out of the Australian National University in Canberra, the challenge of matching technological capabilities with industry requirements, and how the scope of transport vehicles that they are serving has grown and developed. Nolan and Robinson will address how their technology is being implemented in pilot training with the RAAF, the type of data that can be obtained and how that information is being best utilised, and how it is aiding in the success and cost effectiveness of pilot training. Finally, they analyse their point of difference in the market against those with similar product offerings to Seeing Machines, discuss how their technology is being implemented into various vehicles and systems, and the projects that they are currently involved in within defence industry.

As the executive director of the Australian postgraduate research internship program at the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute, Gary Hogan is bridging the gap between SMEs and academic research and intelligence. In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Hogan joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss this little-known program and how it can, in his opinion, revolutionise the business models and outputs of various SMEs. He will talk about how SMEs can find an academic expert to solve a technical concern or innovation within their company, how this relationship is structured in terms of the created intellectual property, and how the government rebate subsidisation can reduce financial outlay. Finally, Hogan will discuss why he is such an advocate of the opportunities that the program offers, reveal his thoughts surrounding a push for more women to be involved in the sector, and how interested SMEs can utilise the services. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this special episode of the Defence Connect Podcast recorded live on site in Avalon on day one of the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Lockheed Martin's Steve Sheehy, BD VP for F-35 sustainment; Andrew Doyle, Australian sustainment lead; and Greg Ulmer, F-35 executive vice president and general manager to discuss the progress of the F-35 program on both an Australian and global level. They will talk about how they are tracking the development and performance of all elements of the aircraft, their deliberate goal to reduce the sustainment price and how they are accomplishing this benchmark. With the program placing a focus on a condition-based maintenance approach, they will discuss the generational differences in reaction and support that they are seeing from those involved, the responsibilities of Australia within the global execution of the program, and how the program is utilising the strengths of each of the involved parties in creating a collaborative joint program. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Greg Barsby, the managing director of QuinetiQ Australia first joined the Defence Connect podcast during Avalon 2017 to discuss their announcement of the acquisition of logistics support and project management business Rubicon. Greg now joins us to discuss what made that integration a success, and how they have capitalised on this growth opportunity. In their shift from consulting business to engineering leader, Barsby will unpack the challenges that they have faced along the way, the programs that they are currently involved in, and the fundamentals of their relationship with DST. Finally, Barsby will explain how they differentiate themselves from other organisations in terms of incentivisation, rewards and recognition for their team, the culture and attributes that they are trying to nurture within the business and how they are striving to be a workforce rich in "diversity of thought". Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, the now vice-chancellor and president of the University of Newcastle, Alex Zelinsky, joins host Phil Tarrant to reflect on his previous role as chief defence scientist and head of Defence Science and Technology (DST). Zelinsky will discuss the expectations of the position within defence industry, share his thoughts surrounding the 2006 white paper and reveal the role of academics in their decision-making process. Discussing his recent appointment with the University of Newcastle, Zelinsky will share how he sees the position as a role to incite real change in the sector, and address how the university's direct relationship with the end user is resulting in better-tailored solutions to problems and ultimately further research into defence industry. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Wing Commander (AAFC) Paul Martin Hughes JP joins host Phil Tarrant to discuss his role in shaping the future of the RAAF by attracting talented youth into the sector. WGCDR (AAFC) Martin Hughes will reflect on his journey to his current position, what his responsibilities now entail, and how the voluntary nature of the role for himself and those around him impacts the results that they strive to achieve. He will examine the relationship between RAAF infrastructure and the cadets program, whether it will aid those involved to seek further involvement in the services and share how his full-time career within the mental health sector sees synergies with the work that he does with the No. 3 Wing Air Force Cadets. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, managing director of Precision Technic Defence Pty Ltd, Greg Whitehouse joins host Phil Tarrant to reflect on his history within the services and unpack how it has led to his position as managing director with the organisation. Whitehouse will discuss the technology that they are involved in creating, the satisfaction that comes from seeing that technology being used in the field and how the evolution of the relationship between SMEs and defence personnel has led to the creation of technology which better meets the end user. Greg will share his thoughts on how the expectations of defence have shifted as a result of technological advances in the civilian sector, and discuss how a government change could impact the SME space and address the ongoing development of Precision Technic Defence Pty Ltd and how their team could look in the future. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect podcast, host Phil Tarrant is joined by Air Commodore Mike Kitcher, Commander Air Combat Group to discuss their position in the development of the future of the Royal Australian Air Force. Kitcher will share his thoughts surrounding the arrival of the F35 fighter jets, and discuss how better connectivity across the ADF will lead to a stronger collective joint war fighting capability. Kitcher will discuss his history within the services, the direction that his position takes in the greater defence landscape, and reveal his plan for training in the drive toward IOC. Reflecting on his time in the industry Kitcher will discuss how quality standards have shifted over the years, provide an update on the roll-out of Plan Jericho and discuss the role of defence professionals in the creation of a united defence force. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Henry, business development, and Dent, R&D project manager,from Thales Underwater Systems will unpack the growing synergies between industry and Defence to respond to emerging and existing threats in the underwater domain. The pair will also discuss the growing export opportunities emerging throughout the Indo-Pacific and European regions, on the back of Thales local research and development and sovereign industry capability across autonomous systems, mine hunting and the underwater domain. Additionally, the pair will focus on complex system capabilities that Thales Underwater Systems is developing in Australia to support the Royal Australian Navy's operational goals, while reducing the risk to human operators through the integration of autonomous systems. These developments also provide the opportunity for developing key relationships between industry, Defence and broader global customers. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, Henry, business development, and Dent, R&D project manager,from Thales Underwater Systems will unpack the growing synergies between industry and Defence to respond to emerging and existing threats in the underwater domain.

The pair will also discuss the growing export opportunities emerging throughout the Indo-Pacific and European regions, on the back of Thales local research and development and sovereign industry capability across autonomous systems, mine hunting and the underwater domain.

Additionally, the pair will focus on complex system capabilities that Thales Underwater Systems is developing in Australia to support the Royal Australian Navy's operational goals, while reducing the risk to human operators through the integration of autonomous systems. These developments also provide the opportunity for developing key relationships between industry, Defence and broader global customers.

Enjoy the podcast,
The Defence Connect team.