Expertise in aircraft structural integrity is essential for delivering on capability, and Defence has a long-standing commitment to this specialist area of aviation engineering.
The Centre for Advanced Defence Structures and Materials Experimentation (CADSME) represents the partnership between RMIT University and Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), which is at the forefront of this expertise.
CADSME provides responsive, high-quality outcomes that support ADF capability, while also creating research and learning opportunities for students, academics and researchers.
In recognition of its innovative work and achievements, CADSME was a finalist in the 2026 Australian Defence Industry Awards in the Aerospace Program of the Year Group category.
Wing Commander Aaron Jozelich is the Deputy Director Fixed Wing Aircraft Structural Integrity within the Directorate of Aviation Engineering at the Defence Aviation Safety Authority. He said CADSME and the broader DSTG Materials and Structures Major Science and Technology Capability (MSTC) brought together science and technology leaders in the field, world-class facilities, and industry and academic partners to enhance Defence capability.
"The MSTC focuses on accelerating the development, integration and application of advanced materials and structures across Defence platforms and weapons systems to deliver operational advantage for the ADF," Wing Commander Jozelich said.
He said the Directorate of Aviation Engineering had maintained a long-standing relationship with DSTG's materials and structures specialists. This included supporting the structural integrity management of legacy aircraft fleets such as the F/A-18 Classic Hornet and AP-3C Orion to the current generation of aircraft.
"That partnership has been instrumental in ensuring airworthiness and sustaining the operational effectiveness of Defence aviation capability, and it continues to provide valuable support to the ADF today," Wing Commander Jozelich said.
Australia's sovereign expertise in materials and structural integrity was highlighted in 2025 through international recognition of Defence science leaders Professor Simon Barter and Loris Molent. The former received the Plantema Medal from the International Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue and Structural Integrity, and the latter the Lincoln Award by the United States Aircraft Structural Integrity Program Committee.
'The centre has delivered significant contributions to ADF capability development and preparedness.'
Recent achievements delivered through the DSTG and CADSME collaboration have generated significant capability and sustainment outcomes for the ADF.
This includes a quantitative fractographic analysis of the F-35A Lightning II, which enabled the extension of structural inspection intervals, resulting in a reported saving of more than 26,000 maintenance hours across the global F-35 fleet.
The partnership has also supported the successful evaluation and static testing of the Australian-developed Missile Replenishment at Sea system for Vertical Launch System-equipped Royal Australian Navy and United States Navy ships.
Chief of DSTG's Platforms Division Scott Tyo said CADSME provided Defence with a unique and proven capability to address priority challenges through advanced structures and materials research.
"The centre has delivered significant contributions to ADF capability development and preparedness while also helping cultivate the next generation of Australian researchers in structures and materials engineering," Dr Tyo said.
Professor Barter said the CADSME program has created a mutual long-term partnership between RMIT and DSTG in structures and materials experimentation and research that delivers responsive, high-quality outcomes to ADF and DSTG clients.
"[It allows] RMIT to give its students, academics and researchers real-world learning/research opportunities in Defence applied sciences and engineering," he said.
"This continues to be achieved by not only meeting ADF and DSTG client needs but also leveraging this close collaboration develop the STEM 'pipeline' through PhD candidates that research novel, new and existing materials and structures for Australia's sovereign defence capability."
Beyond addressing current Defence priorities, CADSME contributes to Australia's sovereign defence capability by advancing research into new and existing materials and structural technologies that meet Australia's unique geostrategic priorities. The partnership also strengthens the pipeline through the development of postgraduate researchers, ensuring the next generation of Australian scientists and engineers is equipped to support future Defence challenges.
