The Morrison Government has announced a $9 million boost to Australia's defence industry to develop an integrated system that can detect and neutralise improvised threats.
The contract, awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia's Science, Technology, Engineering Leadership and Research Laboratory (STELaRLaB), was given as part of Defence's Counter Improvised Grand Threat Challenge (CIT-GC) initiative.
It includes a US$3 million financial and technical contribution provided by the United States' Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA).
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract, funded through the Next Generation Technologies Fund, was important in helping to keep the men and women of the Australian Defence Force safe.
"This major innovation contract highlights the work of the NGTF to bring together projects from defence industry, academia and other government-funded research agencies," Minister Price said.
"By developing innovative systems, Australia continues to provide effective technologies for the protection and safety of the men and women of our Defence Force, protection services, civilians and coalition allies.
"The DTRA contribution reinforces recognition of Australia's leading role in counter improvised threat reduction research on the international stage."
