The Australian Government has formally launched the first defence Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for trusted autonomous systems.

Formed under the Next Generation Technologies Fund, the defence CRC will focus on researching and offering advanced and game-changing autonomous technologies to the Australian defence industry, thereby ensuring trusted and effective cooperation between humans and machines.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Premium Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said: “The Defence CRC allows Australia’s industry and research sectors to collaborate with defence on leading edge technologies such as autonomous systems to maintain the ADF’s capability advantage.”

The research centre has been set up to initially carry out three major research projects in the maritime, air and land domains.

"Not only will defence benefit with new capabilities, Australian industry will improve its expertise and competitiveness in autonomous technologies."

The three projects will be led respectively by Thales Australia, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems.

Australia’s CRC programme is claimed to be a tried and tested model with a track record in transforming research into capability.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Pyne added: “Not only will defence benefit with new capabilities, Australian industry will improve its expertise and competitiveness in autonomous technologies.

“I look forward to the CRC making a vital contribution to advances in autonomous systems for defence capability.”

To be headquartered in Brisbane, the CRC for Trust Autonomous Systems is chaired by University of South Australia Chancellor Jim McDowell.

Inaugural founding company members of the Defence CRC include BAE Systems Australia, DefendTex, RMIT University, and Defence Science and Technology.