Mr Amal Jayawardena is a mechanical engineer and graduate researcher with a strong academic and professional background. He earned his mechanical engineering degree with first-class honors (Summa Cum Laude) from Brigham Young University USA receiving the prestigious Thomas E. Ricks academic full scholarship. Currently, he is pursuing his Ph.D. research in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Melbourne focing on drug design and computational optimisation. In his Ph.D. research, Amal focuses on …

Associate Professor Gayan Kahandawa Appuhamillage is an expert in sensor technology, control systems and mechatronics. His work on development of sensor networks for aircraft, been patented by Boeing Company (US patent: US20140304203A2). He used fibre optic sensors and AI based algorithms for monitoring structural changers/damage to air crafts for structural integrity. He also has used sensor network to monitor West Gate Bridge in Melbourne. The system developed logged strain data from the bridge before …

Captain (Ret.) Luke William Townsend MBE MA is an intelligence specialist. He was a full-time soldier in two armies and has a Masters in Intelligence and Security Studies, from Brunel in London (2014), receiving the Dean’s Prize for research of highest impact. First, he served in the Royal Australian Army Ordinance Corps and then Australian Intelligence Corps (2001-2005). Next, he served in the British Army’s Queens Royal Lancers and then Specialist Group Military Intelligence (2009-2019). He deployed to …

Dr Ian Spark completed his PhD at Melbourne University in 1971 and graduated in 1972. He was supported by a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE). He conducted much of his research at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), (Lucas Heights). He was appointed to the Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education as a Lecturer in Engineering in 1971. During his extensive career, Dr Spark worked in a range of roles including as an …

Introduction The recent Defence Strategic Review (DSR) has brought to light significant challenges previously unnoticed by defence commentators and the broader Australian public. Two key tenets of the DSR are concerns about climate change, and the need for an asymmetric capability, which in turn pose questions about our capability to meet domestic emergencies and defence of our sovereignty. [i] The implementation of existing and emerging autonomous technologies at scale will contribute significantly …

Khuong Nguyen is a young Defence APS engineering graduate enthusiastic about defence policy in the context of the 21 st century and emerging new technologies. Before joining the defence industry as a graduate, he completed internships in SA Power Networks, and CSIRO Space and Astronomy, providing me insights into emerging technologies in the broader world. In high school, he obtained first place in the national Simpson Prize history competition, sparking his passion for defence policy. … Khuong …

A decision support model to evaluate force composition Introduction The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is approaching a strategic environment that is less benign, more demanding and of higher risk to life and safety. Compounding these strategic risks are worsening resourcing (workforce and funding) challenges – a characteristic not uncommon across previous periods of relative peace in Australia. Critical to issues of concurrency, particularly for Army, is the inescapable truth that operational activities …

Smarter Deception Introduction In releasing the Defence Strategic Review, the Australian Government announced a pivotal (and not unforeseen) clarification in Australia’s defence strategy. Notably, the Review directs Australia to adopt a strategy of denial intended to defend Australia by influencing an adversary’s ‘state of mind’ such that it changes ‘its risk assessment and, therefore, decision-making’. [1] However, the Review also identifies the necessary but ambitious related capability reform will need …

From 22 April to 06 May 2023, thirteen Australian Army members were lucky enough to attend Exercise STARCEVICH, an Australian Army Staff Ride focused on the WWII Oboe operations. With the assistance of a senior instructor and an expert historian, during these two weeks, we had the opportunity to study the relevant battlefields across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. We debated the successes and mistakes made during these battles and considered the implications for today’s Australian Army. Why Study the …

Enhancing Capability to Secure Urban Points of Entry Context Gaining and retaining a secure Air or Sea Point of Entry (POE), with existing capabilities is likely to be a personnel intensive task of greater than battle group size. This is because suitable POE will be urban and the consequent challenges of maintaining observation along a secure perimeter there, especially where there are surrounding dominating structures. Securing a POE is a critical Army enabling function for the Integrated Force to execute …