You are here

DST Group at the Cutting Edge of Maritime Security

7 March 2013
News
Senator the Hon David Feeney (left) with Deputy Chief Defence Scientist Dr Warren Harch (right) meeting to discuss Maritime Security and other areas of Defence and national security.
Senator the Hon David Feeney (left) with Deputy Chief Defence Scientist Dr Warren Harch (right)

The Adelaide laboratory of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) continues to play an essential role in maritime security research for the future security of Australia.

Senator the Hon David Feeney (left) with Deputy Chief Defence Scientist Dr Warren Harch (right) In a visit to the site today, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator the Hon David Feeney, received briefings from Defence scientists on their work into maritime security.

“I am very impressed by the variety and depth of support DSTO Edinburgh provides for our nation’s maritime Defence,” Senator Feeney said.

Technologies demonstrated to Senator Feeney include a ‘Slocum Glider’: a small, commercially available undersea vehicle, capable of long term monitoring of oceanographic parameters such as temperature, pressure and salinity; and ‘Sentinel’: a DSTO-developed unmanned system for detecting undersea vessels.

“Underwater technologies will play a significant role in the future of Australia’s Defence and security requirements,” Senator Feeney said.

“As a large, sparsely-populated island nation, the cost-effective surveillance of our surrounding undersea areas forms a crucial element of any Australian national Defence and security policy.

“DSTO scientists and engineers work with Australian industry and other government organisations to develop, assess and demonstrate new, cost-effective approaches for our Australian Defence Force (ADF) to use in the Defence of our nation. The importance of their work to the ADF cannot be overstated.”

Senator Feeney was also briefed on various research projects conducted by DSTO in support of other areas of Defence and national security.

 

Contacts

MEDIA CONTACTS:

  • Senator Feeney’s Office - Jeffrey Von Drehnen 0477 348 476
  • DSTO - Steve Butler 0418 800 323
  • Defence Media Operations - (02) 6127 1999