Winners of the 2024 Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) Collaborative Research Grants (CRG). Photo and article courtesy of QDSA.

The Queensland Defence Science Alliance (QDSA) has revealed five ground-breaking Defence projects have been awarded the highly sought-after 2024 QDSA Collaborative Research Grants (CRG).

“These projects represent a combined value to Queensland and the Northern Territory of $3.6M over the next 18 months,” said QDSA Director, Stuart Blackwell.

“These new initiatives are an important step towards transforming cutting-edge research into real-world technologies that will strengthen local industries and bolster our Defence capabilities for years to come.”

The five (5) winning projects between QDSA member universities and Defence industry partners are awarded up to $250,000 by QDSA. The combined value of these grants is $948,000 and will be shared across these projects for up to 18 months to enable transition from proof-of-concept to development of a prototype.

An additional co-funded investment of $2,670,689 associated with these projects brings the total investment in this round of funding to more than $3.6M.

The call for collaborative research projects yielded a total of 41 highly competitive submissions, with 11 detailed proposals considered in the final detailed proposal stage, underlining the thirst for innovation projects being conceived across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Mr Blackwell said the quality of the submissions received continues to rise each year. Following the addition of Charles Darwin University to the Alliance in July, QDSA also received a high calibre of collaborative project proposals with a focus on northern Australia.

Project submissions had to fall into one of five themes, aligned to Innovation, Science & Technology (IS&T) initiatives: Undersea Warfare, Cyber, Amphibious capable combined‑arms land system, Theatre logistics, and Theatre command and control. These QDSA CRG Research Priorities and Topics were drawn from the 2024 National Defence Strategy, 2024 Integrated Investment Program, and wide consultation with Defence stakeholders.

The winning projects are:

• Transitioning to Quantum-Safe: Security Testing of Post-Quantum Cryptography in Security-Critical Applications. This project aims to defend against the quantum threats by accelerating the transition to quantum-safe applications critical to national security and ensuring their resilience against future quantum threats. University of Queensland in partnership with Griffith University, University of Sunshine Coast and Semicon Pty Ltd.
• Integrating Long Range Cargo UAVs into the Battlespace Operating Systems: This project will develop, test and trial the delivery of medical items over long-ranges using Australian- made heavy-fuel Uncrewed Aerial vehicles (UAVs). Charles Darwin University in partnership with Griffith University and SAI Dynamics Pty Ltd.
• Autonomous Littoral AI Marine Threat Detection System: This innovative capability integrates an uncrewed ground vehicle, remote electromagnetic sensors, and uncrewed aerial system into a self-contained mobile unit optimised for littoral detection of sub-surface objects, bathymetric changes and activity. Griffith University with Charles Darwin University and EPE Pty Ltd.
• 3D printing ceramics for temperature resistant and load bearing aerostructures: The exceptional thermal properties, strength-to-weight potential, and intrinsic insulation capabilities of ceramic sandwich structures make them highly desirable for load bearing structural applications in emerging hypersonic aircraft. The overall objective of this project is to 3D print and test ceramic structures for thermal management in emerging hypersonic applications. James Cook University with University of Queensland and Lockheed Martin Australia.
• Rapid medical supply delivery: Trauma care is time-dependent and relies on rapid damage control resuscitation and damage control surgery at or as close as possible to the point of injury. The faster combat medics can stabilise the patient, the higher the chance of survival. Logistics and limited pack sizes constrain this to only a subset of vital clinical supplies; delivery drones could be used to fill in the gaps. This project seeks to answer the challenge of 72 seconds from launch to patient, 5km away. University of Queensland with Outer Loop Engineering and SAAB Australia.

“The Queensland Government remains steadfast in its dedication to fostering homegrown scientific innovation and ensuring that our Defence sector continues to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape,” Hon Andrew Powell MP, Minister for Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI).

The Queensland Government, through DETSI and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning (DSDIP), is proud to partner with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and member universities to invest in QDSA. This collaboration aims to accelerate innovation and excellence in Defence research.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said it is important to foster collaboration and identify investment opportunities in Queensland for the Defence Industry.

“The Crisafulli LNP Government has a key priority to expand defence industries in Queensland,” Mr Bleijie said.

“Connecting businesses and research to grow defence capabilities will be critical, and we look forward to partnering closely with industry to drive opportunities for new investment and jobs across Queensland.”

“Collaboration across research and industry was key to projects successfully securing funding. We are focused on high-quality projects with proof of concept that can be accelerated into Defence capability through innovative partnerships between research and Defence industry,” Mr Blackwell said.

To be eligible, projects had to be led by a QDSA member university (Griffith University, James Cook University, University of Queensland, Charles Darwin University), and it was desirable that eligible applications will also have co-investment from a Defence industry partner or QDSA member university.

“The intent is to provide an injection of funds to accelerate emerging research towards a level of maturity where a demonstration can be provided for further development into a capability by a larger party (such as Federal funding scheme or Defence prime). Therefore, the project must have a clear plan for transition to capability beyond the 18-month project,” Mr Blackwell said.