At Defence Trailblazer, the students we connect with industry partners are making a long-term impact in the workforce. Eugene Lamnek is one of dozens of students who’ve taken part in our Workforce Connect initiatives.
Professor Matt Garratt leads the Defence Trailblazer’s UNSW team for Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence (RASAI).
“At UNSW Canberra, we have a unique microcosm representing all of the key focus areas of Defence Trailblazer. This allows me to not just work in RASAI but also dabble in other fields such as hypersonics, space and cyber,” says Professor Garratt.
Dr Oleksandra Molloy’s multidisciplinary research draws on her expertise in human factors, safety, advanced air mobility, uncrewed systems, and artificial intelligence (AI).
“I firmly believe that research-driven insights, when integrated effectively with technology and training frameworks, can significantly enhance the preparedness and adaptability of Defence personnel,” says Dr Molloy.
Defence Trailblazer has updated its Priority Theme Roadmaps, highlighting the capabilities being developed across our programs and charting a path to meeting the Australian Defence Force’s sovereign capability requirements for the future.
The development of these Roadmaps has involved engagement with Defence, industry and academic partners, both through one-on-one sessions and collective workshops.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of defence technology, it is crucial to be ahead of the curve. The AUKUS Innovation Challenge is now in its second year, with the 2025 competition focusing on maritime innovation for undersea Command, Control, and Communications (C3). The competition demonstrates the need for advanced skills and knowledge in this area. For defence industry Primes and SMEs who have submitted a bid for the challenge, it is now an ideal time to ensure your team is up to date with the latest Combat Systems Engineering knowledge.
In today’s rapidly evolving defence landscape, mastering C4ISREW (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Electronic Warfare) technology is essential for professionals seeking to lead in strategic and operational roles. As modern battlefields become increasingly digitised and interconnected, the demand for experts who understand the full spectrum of C4ISREW capabilities is soaring.
Associate Professor Claudia Szabo leads the Defence Trailblazer’s University of Adelaide team for Robotics, Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence (RASAI), one of five key areas aligned with the Defence Strategic Review.
She is passionate about applying the theoretical aspects of her research to Defence, and connecting industry with academia by growing research projects and partnerships.
In this episode of the ADSTAR podcast series, Defence Connect podcast host Liam Garman is joined by Dr Sanjay Mazumdar, executive director of the Defence Trailblazer, to discuss the commercialisation of research to strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities.