New contracts signed for ASCA program

The Australian government is backing local innovation in quantum and counter disinformation technologies that are key to giving Defence an edge and which will also be critical to a future made in Australia. The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program has signed 21 contracts as part of an investment of over $60 million with Australian universities and industry partners. This investment gives effect to innovation priorities in the National Defence Strategy and Asymmetric Advantage – Delivering More, Together, the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy. The EDT program is pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge to advance the development of existing and new capabilities that help deter hostile acts against Australia and in the region. Long-term partnerships between scientists, military end-users and innovators are positively shaping Australia’s defence innovation ecosystem. A total of 179 proposals from across the national science and technology ecosystem were received as part of this call-out for EDT proposals. ASCA is seeking innovative proposals that can support decision advantage for its next EDT program. The most recent recipients include: Analog Quantum Circuits in QLD which designs and fabricates superconducting devices for quantum computing. Consunet Pty Ltd in South Australia which works on capabilities in electromagnetic warfare and spectrum management. Nomad Atomics in Victoria which specialises in the development of high precision quantum sensors. Q-CTRL Pty Ltd in NSW which is seeking to solve the hardest problems facing quantum technology, improving hardware performance and accelerating pathways to useful quantum computers and other technologies. Organisation State Contract Value (inc GST) Analog Quantum Circuits QLD $3,299,967 Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisations (CSIRO) VIC $1,530,969 Consunet Pty Ltd SA $3,146,000 DeteQt Pty Ltd NSW $3,287,143 Diamond Defence VIC $3,215,991 Infleqtion (Cold Quanta) VIC $3,300,000 Monash University VIC $3,297,408 Monash University VIC $3,170,864 Nomad Atomics ACT $2,458,718 Q-CTRL Pty Ltd NSW $3,275,371 QuantX Labs SA $3,264,800 QuantX Labs SA $3,146,007 Lockheed Martin Australia Advanced Systems & Technologies ACT $3,288,695 University of Adelaide SA $1,800,500 University of Adelaide SA $3,280,688 University of New South Wales NSW $1,303,172 University of New South Wales NSW $2,981,943 University of South Australia SA $3,167,452 University of Technology Sydney NSW $3,260,760 University of Technology Sydney NSW $2,683,227 University of Western Australia WA $2,071,070 Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, Pat Conroy said: “Through the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, the Government is driving cutting-edge research and development and capability delivery that is aligned with Defence priorities and a future made in Australia. In uncertain strategic circumstances, we must harness our national ingenuity and technology advances to deter hostile acts against Australia and in our region. Defence is working with industry and research partners to develop solutions that can provide our soldiers, sailors and aviators with an asymmetric advantage on the battlefield.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]