ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥

More defence jobs on radar

Monday, 19 March 2018

By Mike Brooks

ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s upgrade to the over-the-horizon radar will add to the amazing defence industry momentum building in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

The recent announcement from the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Government of the $1.2 billion contract to upgrade one of ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s major defence facilities is wonderful news for more than just successful bidders BAE Systems ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ and partners.

Having this major project centred in our state is great news for South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ and its thriving defence sector, as well as for the future job prospects of young engineers, technologists and support professionals.

The contract is to upgrade the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN), an over-the-horizon radar network critical to safeguarding ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥. JORN protects ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s coastal approaches through a network of three remote radars in northern ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥. This remarkable system can see around the curvature of the earth — “over the horizon” — by bouncing radar transmissions (and their returns) off the ionosphere.

The upgrade will require over 500 highly skilled technicians and engineers working for BAE Systems and their supply chain, with most based in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

The announcement is also good news for the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide which has a distinguished history of research in defence over many decades and is ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥'s leading university in defence engagement with government and industry.

The ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ will play a key role in the future of JORN, working with BAE Systems and the defence sector on a variety of technological challenges. We’re proud to support this critical project for ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ through our research and provision of skilled graduates.

A member of the original team that developed ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s over-the-horizon radar capability and retired DST Chief of Division, Bruce Ward, has recently been appointed Adjunct Professor at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide. He will continue to undertake ionospheric physics research that helps us maintain world leadership.

A little over a year ago we joined with BAE Systems, and the state’s other universities, in forming the Joint Open Innovation Network (JOIN). It was established to generate new technologies enabling the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Defence Force to maintain superior capability.

Through JOIN, BAE Systems committed to contribute up to $10 million for the creation of new defence-focused courses and targeted research and development, as well as scholarships and industry placements. JOIN will support 60 graduate positions and establish an Innovation Laboratory at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide to advance defence technologies.

The JOIN Innovation Laboratory will house over-the-horizon radar equipment, including digital receivers and operator consoles, and host PhD students working together with BAE Systems and ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ researchers.

JOIN is only one of many ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide-industry collaborations in defence – a deliberate move to align our activities with state need. Our new, state government supported ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥n Institute for Machine Learning is already attracting global partners to Adelaide.

As the nation’s defence state, South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ will benefit enormously from federal investment in submarines, ships and defence infrastructure. It’s essential that this also generates new hi-tech companies and jobs pursuing “dual-use” technologies in areas such as advanced manufacturing, mining, big data and artificial intelligence.

This is not only about building our defence sector, it’s about creating high-value future-facing jobs that will keep our brilliant young people in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥.

The rapidly increasing defence momentum underway promises a very bright future for jobs in South ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥’s economy, and especially if we can truly leverage our opportunities.


Professor Mike Brooks is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the ÐÓ°ÉÖ±²¥ of Adelaide

This column was originally published in The Advertiser, Saturday 17 March 2018.

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