Army’s approach to accelerated preparedness In October, the AARC launched its spring series ‘ Short Thoughts Competition ’ on Army’s approach to accelerated preparedness. The purpose was to encourage authors to think about the activities Army can undertake now to achieve success in future and the types of capability that would best prepare land forces for future operational tasks. In a resource constrained and competitive workforce environment, our contributors specifically addressed the opportunities for …

Innovation Emerging and disruptive technology is demanding innovative approaches to increase Army’s capacity, introduce and challenge concepts, and deliver cutting-edge capabilities to our soldiers. Army is investing in a broad range of emerging and disruptive technologies that are at different phases of maturity from the early concept stage through to demonstration, prototyping and integration. In partnership with industry and academia, Army is exploring the latest innovative technologies through a ‘learn …

Power and Energy As technology proliferates in the modern battlespace, the demand for power and energy is changing. The explosion in microelectronics, sensors and computing is driving unprecedented levels of energy dependence and demand. There’s a wide range of emerging technology in the power and energy space that will impact most of Army’s systems. This includes deployable infrastructure, land platforms and soldier worn combat systems. Exploiting this technology can improve supply chain performance, …

The Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office (RICO) has trialled the electric protected mobility vehicle (ePMV) with a 2 Health Battalion (2HB) medical treatment team to test the viability of powering deployable medical capabilities. The trial, conducted in the field at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, found the ePMV provided sufficient power to run a PMV-command vehicle for about eight days without using a generator. Following the vehicle's launch at the Chief of Army Symposium …

Army MakerSpace About MakerSpace Makerspace is an Army initiative providing a place for learning-by-making and education in innovative approaches, creative thinking, and agile methodologies. All Army personnel are invited to join their local community of makers to gain a professional toolbox of problem-solving techniques to tackle Army’s current and emerging challenges. Makerspace is part of The Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation & Coordination Office (RICO) within Future Land Warfare Branch and …

Robotic and Autonomous Systems Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS) will change future battlespaces and the way Army trains and fights. Army’s 2022 RAS Strategy outlines how we will explore ways we team up with machines and systems through three themes; intelligent machine, machine to machine teaming, and human to machine teaming. The benefits of RAS technology include maximising soldier performance, improving decision making, generating mass and scalable effects, protecting the force and operational …

Executive Summary The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has a long history of defence international engagement in places as diverse as Fiji, Uganda and Vietnam. Most of this is routine, but some occurs on operations where it can be a critical factor in achieving strategic objectives. Fiji is a useful case study to review international and operational engagement practices. Routine international engagement was a key component of the broader bilateral relationship with Fiji prior to the 2006 Coup. This was …

The ADF has a long history of defence international engagement within our region and beyond. In Occasional Paper 18 , Dr Michael O'Keefe seeks to extend the policy literature through a case study of international engagement with Fiji by detailing how a successful approach from 2014-2017 contributed to the achievement of Australian foreign policy goals. … Occasional Paper release - ADF Engagement with …

Dr Michael O’Keefe is Director of the Master of International Relations at La Trobe University. Michael’s research interests focus on Australian foreign policy, and Pacific foreign policies (especially Fiji). His current projects focus on Australia’s ‘Step Up’ in the Pacific, Fiji’s peacekeeping strategy and military diplomacy. He undertakes a wide range of consultancies in the Pacific and has taught in Fiji and Japan. Michael features regularly in media such as the ABC’s 7.30 Report and Insiders , ABC …

Introduction Human soldiers are the army’s most valuable resource. A lot of money is invested in their training. In order to minimise their exposure to risk, where possible they should be replaced with inexpensive robots. A good example is collecting intelligence at observation posts, where human soldiers tend to get tired and bored, and need a reliable supply of food, water and electrical energy (e.g. batteries or solar cells). Robots could also be used to support dismounted soldiers. In this application …