SubSea Craft and Greenroom Robotics partner on AUKUS tech: SubSea Craft (SSC) and Australian company Greenroom Robotics have signed a teaming agreement marking the next step in strengthening collaboration across the AUKUS technology ecosystem. Aligned with the vision of AUKUS Pillar 2, SSC has self-funded the design and build of three advanced platforms – MARS, VICTA, and CADDIS. Encompassing stated AUKUS priorities such as Maritime Autonomy, Rapid Capability Delivery and Manned/Unmanned teaming (MUM-T), SSC and Greenroom technologies have already been demonstrated and validated in Australia and the United States, proving their ability to deliver real operational impact for the warfighter. The new agreement will advance the MARS platform through integration of Greenroom Robotics’ world-leading autonomous technology, while opening further opportunities for joint development in Australia. The MARS platform has undergone extensive testing in Tasmania Australia, a region uniquely positioned for maritime innovation. Tasmania’s nine deregulated waterways provide a unique environment for prototype development, allowing testing in a diverse range of environments with multiple depths and water speeds. This flexibility has accelerated validation and refinement, moving the platform rapidly towards broader deployment. Camilla Martin, CEO of SubSea Craft, said: “This teaming agreement is another step in strengthening the AUKUS ecosystem and will be crucial to our success as a credible partner to the AUKUS nations. Agility is key. To meet the pace that the warfighter deserves, it is vital we work with leading technology companies, pooling knowledge and expertise in support of those on the frontline.”
New hub to advance maritime engineering and innovation: A new hub for maritime engineering and innovation will open at the Australian Maritime College’s Launceston campus, part of the University of Tasmania. Established in partnership with ASSIST Maritime, the facility will bring together researchers, industry and government to improve ship maintenance, technology development and workforce training, strengthening Australia’s maritime infrastructure. The Maritime Sustainment Infrastructure Engineering R&D Hub will tackle real-world challenges in shipyard modernisation, digitalisation and operational efficiency. Operating as a national centre for applied research, training and technology development, it aims to accelerate improvements across Australia’s maritime infrastructure. “The partnership marks a major step in aligning maritime research with industry delivery,” said Mal Wise, Principal of the Australian Maritime College. Together, AMC and ASSIST Maritime are creating a space where innovation turns research into real-world capability – strengthening Australia’s maritime sustainment and industrial resilience.” The Engineering and R&D Hub is scheduled to commence operations in early 2026, with collaborative research programs launching shortly thereafter.
Lockheed Martin Australia renews partnership with Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group: Lockheed Martin Australia has renewed its partnership with the Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group, signing a four-year sponsorship agreement from 2025 to 2028 to support the delivery of mental health and well-being programs for the veteran community in the Shoalhaven. Under the new agreement, Lockheed Martin Australia will provide $55,000 in funding over four years to help sustain vital social inclusion, health, and fitness activities that support veterans’ well-being. “The foundational three-year sponsorship from Lockheed Martin Australia had an enormous impact on our ability to deliver programs and proved extremely beneficial to our veteran community,” said Rick Meehan, Chairman, Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group. “The Keith Payne VC Veterans Benefit Group runs a broad range of initiatives to support the wellbeing and connection of veterans in the Shoalhaven, including Walk to Talk, Veterans’ Health Week, Digger Day, Vitamins for Veterans, commemorative services, and newer initiatives such as our Martial Arts and Music Programs. We also host Veterans Corner gatherings, park clean-ups, Military Funeral Tributes, and the Veteran Oral History Program, ensuring veterans’ stories are preserved and celebrated. “We welcome this further commitment from Lockheed Martin Australia, which will be vital to sustaining our existing programs and expanding support to meet the growing health and wellbeing needs of veterans in the Shoalhaven over the next four years. “As an ex-service organisation, we are entirely volunteer run, so every dollar goes directly towards programs that help veterans manage PTSD and reduce social isolation.”
Northrop Grumman completes Hollow Core Optical Fibres test: Northrop Grumman announced the successful completion of the proof-of-concept phase of its Hollow Core Optical Fibre project, delivered in partnership with the University of Adelaide under the Defence Trailblazer program. This milestone represents a significant advancement towards South Australia entering Northrop Grumman’s Global Supply Chain in support of future defence capabilities. The next phase will focus on transitioning this cutting-edge technology from research to commercialization, creating opportunities for South Australian suppliers and strengthening Australia’s sovereign industrial capability. Rob Denney, Country Executive Northrop Grumman Australia, said, “This project is a great example of how collaboration between government, industry and research can deliver real outcomes for Australia’s sovereign defence capability. Northrop Grumman Australia is proud to work alongside the University of Adelaide, and our South Australian partners to advance this world-leading photonics technology. We look forward to the next phase of development and the opportunity to scale this innovation for national and global defence applications.” Dr Sanjay Mazumdar, Executive Director, Defence Trailblazer, said, “The ability to domestically fabricate fibres for Fibre Optic Gyroscopes is essential for Australia’s sovereign capability in supporting our Australian Defence Force. This partnership with Northrop Grumman, University of Adelaide and Defence Trailblazer is a significant step forward in generating a sovereign capability for Australia. The project team is in an excellent position to deliver more complex structures, for future fabrication tasks.”
TBH launches “Return to Green” project recovery service: TBH, a leading project delivery consultancy, announced the launch of ‘Return to Green,’ a comprehensive portfolio, program and project recovery service specifically tailored for Australian Defence acquisition. The service addresses the critical need for performance improvement within Defence projects facing challenging strategic circumstances and budget constraints. ‘Return to Green’ represents TBH’s strategic refinement of six decades of project recovery expertise, now specifically adapted to support the unique circumstances of Defence capability development and operational environment. The service targets projects of concern, those underperforming or failing to meet stated objectives, providing the stabilisation, re-planning and organisational realignment needed to return complex initiatives to consistent performance. ‘Return to Green’ aligns with Defence’s pressing need for speed to capability while maximising value from constrained budgets. By supporting Defence’s adoption of Minimum Viable Capability (MVC) approaches, ‘Return to Green’ helps deliver operational capabilities faster while ensuring inherent growth paths for future evolution. “’Return to Green’ recognises that complex capability programs do experience challenges but reaching for off-the-shelf solutions is not an appropriate response,” said Travis Harvey, TBH Director and head of Portfolio, Program and Project (P3M) services.”
Anschuetz Australia opens for business: Anschütz, a global leader in naval navigation and bridge systems, announced the establishment of Anschuetz Australia Pty Ltd, a dedicated local entity committed to supporting sovereign naval shipbuilding programmes in Australia and New Zealand, and sustaining the existing fleet. With a long-standing heritage in maritime technology and defence integration, Anschuetz is now bringing its expertise closer to regional customers. The new subsidiary will provide direct access to local support, enable streamlined collaboration with defence primes and integrators and offer tailored solutions for the unique requirements of national shipbuilding programmes. “We’re here to support Australia’s sovereign capability – with proven technology, local presence and close cooperation,” said Niels Möller, Managing Director at Anschütz GmbH. ‘From long-term system sustainment to software-defined solutions and partnerships with regional industry, Anschuetz Australia delivers where it matters most.” Anschütz is also actively recruiting talent to support its growing operations, beginning with key naval programmes already underway in Australia. The company supplies advanced navigation radars and software for the modernisation of the Royal Australian Navy’s ANZAC-class frigates, including ruggedised consoles and Naval Radar NX applications. Anschuetz has also been selected as the supplier of Warship Integrated Navigation and Bridge Systems for the Hunter Class Frigate Programme, delivering multifunctional consoles, naval radars, and integrated steering gear control systems. These systems are tailored to Australian requirements and developed in cooperation with local partners.
Leidos Australia and Kongsberg sign MOU on USV strike capability: Leidos Australia and Kongsberg Defence Australia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the integration of Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with Leidos’ next-generation uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), Sea Archer and its larger variant, Longbow. Building on Leidos’ proven success in launching missiles from unmanned vessels, the partnership aims to demonstrate how integrating the NSM with advanced USVs could extend the reach, responsiveness and adaptability of maritime strike possibilities. Kongsberg’s ship-based NSM is a sea-skimming, precision-guided cruise missile capable of engaging targets at a range of more than 300 km. Designed for survivability, the NSM features autonomous target recognition and advanced terminal manoeuvres to evade modern defences. Sea Archer, currently under construction in Australia, is a high-speed, long-range USV designed to support modular payloads for strike, electronic warfare, logistics resupply and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Equipped with Leidos’ advanced autonomy software and AI-powered battle management technologies, the vessel reaches speeds up to 40 knots, has a range of 1,500 nautical miles and supports a payload of over 900 kg. The larger Longbow variant has an increased payload capacity of 3,000 kgs and is powered by four (4) OXE marine diesel engines with 300 horsepower supporting a range in excess of 2,750 nautical miles. Currently at the proof-of-concept stage, there is potential to explore NSM integration with a variety of Leidos USVs. Further development and integrated payload capabilities are being trialled both in the US and in Australia in 2026. “This MOU represents a significant step forward in exploring a mission-ready, sovereign maritime strike capability for Australia,” said Paul Chase, chief executive of Leidos Australia. “By combining the proven performance of the NSM with the flexibility and endurance of a Longbow Sea Archer, we are offering Defence a potent, adaptable and locally supported solution for future operational needs.”
Alliance with US Navy partner to bolster WA defence workforce: The Cook Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BlueForge Alliance Australia Limited (BFAA), marking an international alliance that will help grow Western Australia’s defence workforce capability. The agreement will enable more defence manufacturing to be done in WA to support the AUKUS partnership, creating local jobs and diversifying the economy. BFAA is the independent Australian affiliate of BlueForge Alliance (BFA), a US-based not-for-profit and mission-driven partner helping the US Navy build up the US maritime industrial base through advanced manufacturing, supply chain optimisation, and workforce development. Partnering with BFAA strengthens WA’s defence ecosystem by connecting local industry and workforce capabilities with global defence supply chains and innovation efforts. The MoU seeks to promote opportunities to expand participation of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in global defence supply chains. It also aims to strengthen training pathways and the development of the skilled workforce needed for AUKUS-related programs. Defence West and the Department of Training and Workforce Development will work with BFAA to explore opportunities to connect local industry and education providers with national initiatives and bring industry expertise and support for SME growth and innovation. The signing took place on Tuesday, 4 November at the Indo Pacific 2025 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, with Defence Industries Minister the Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA representing the Government of Western Australia.
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must say I like the idea of Leidos’ long bow sea archer with a pair of nsm’s and a 2750 n mile range.
Image a fleet of 120 of those based all around Australia from east to west creating a veritable ring of strike deterrence that can be sent to take out any intruders into our A2AD zone and even as an offensive strike capability in its own right.
It almost seems like a cheap readily developed alternative to IRBM’s.
A potentially vastly more capable A2AD defender then LMBS or manned warships
Yes, looks promising.