The Australian Department of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) signed a strategic alliance with Raytheon [RTN] to increase collaboration on defense technologies, the Australian government announced Wednesday.
Signed by the Chief Defence Scientist, Alex Zelinsky, and Michael Ward, managing director of Raytheon Australia, the alliance agreement will have both organizations collaborate on strategically significant research areas including cyber/electronic warfare systems, hypersonics, naval combat systems, underwater systems, operational analysis, and quantum technology.
The signing occurred during DST’s Partnership Week activities in Melbourne, Australia.
“The agreement with Raytheon marks the 14th such alliance we have now signed with our strategic partners in industry and the research sector. I welcome this partnership,” Zelinsky said in a statement
“Our ability to achieve Strategic Defense Objectives relies on critical support from Australian defence industry to deliver leading-edge innovation and research. The cementing of this ongoing close relationship with Raytheon Australia is mutually beneficial because no single scientific organization can achieve the advances we need for Defense capability without significant science and technology collaboration,” he added.
“Raytheon Australia is pleased to commit to this new strategic alliance with the Defense Science and Technology Group. We look forward to building innovation with DST Group, drawing on our extensive experience as a combat systems integrator and our trusted partnerships with industry, government and also educational institutions,” Ward said.
The alliance allows Australia and Raytheon to work on a range of research interactions including exchange of information, separate agreements on interactive projects, staff secondments, and access to each other’s facilities and equipment.
Naval Combat Systems Analysis was selected as the first research topic that will be developed into an Interactive Project Agreement.
“Raytheon is enthusiastic about working with DST on naval combat system analysis, centered on accurately modelling combat systems performance,” Ward said.