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The Company will contribute up to $10 million over the next 10 years to establish the Joint Open Innovation Network to support new university engineering scholarships, internship and undergraduate industry placements.
The project will also involve the creation of new defence-focused courses, and targeted research and development.
Starting in 2017, the Joint Open Innovation Network will focus on activities to support the upgrade of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) and the development of future JORN and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance capability.
The Joint Open Innovation Network will establish an Innovation laboratory, jointly developed by BAE Systems together with the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia. The laboratory will provide a secure facility that allows industry and academia to work together to advance existing defence technologies.
A partnership with Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Dedicated Systems Australia will ensure the availability of leading edge equipment for the laboratory and training to ensure that participants have fewer barriers to developing new defence technologies.
The Joint Open Innovation Network is open to other academic institutions and industry members to become involved and to support the continued development of new technology for the Defence sector, and the Company has commenced engagement nationally to identify potential future partners.
BAE Systems will support Joint Open Innovation Network participants to fast track new technologies and products developed through the program to export markets through its global supply chain.
BAE Systems Australia Chief Executive, Glynn Phillips, said: “Technology and innovation can and must play a larger and leading role in the Australian economy. By creating the Joint Open Innovation Network with our university partners we will foster the development of cutting edge technology to meet the future defence needs of the country and, in so doing, help underpin a sustainable economy by growing export opportunities.”
University of South Australia Chancellor, Jim McDowell, said: “The renewed investment in defence technologies, education and industries will support some of our leading researchers to develop their knowledge and discoveries and see them applied in areas that are crucial for innovation. This partnership ensures South Australia will be bringing its ‘best game’ to defence industry innovation and that means more local skills development and ultimately more local jobs and industry growth.”
University of Adelaide Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor, Mike Brooks, said: “This is a win-win initiative for STEM students, graduates, researchers, the state and the nation. JOIN will open up clear pathways for study and careers in the defence sector and create new opportunities for research, while building on the University of Adelaide’s outstanding defence track record.”