Defence Science and Technology Group

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Defence Science and Technology Group
Australia Defence Science and Technology Group horizontal crest logo.svg
Agency overview
Jurisdiction Commonwealth of Australia
Headquarters Fairbairn, Canberra, Australia
Employees2300
Annual budget$633 million [1]
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Parent agency Department of Defence (Australia)
Website www.dst.defence.gov.au

The Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) is a part of the Australian Department of Defence, which provides science and technology support to safeguard Australia and its national interests. The agency's name was changed from Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) on 1 July 2015. [2] It is Australia's second largest government-funded science organisation after the CSIRO and its research outcomes have supported operations for over 100 years.

Contents

The Chief Defence Scientist leads DSTG. The position is supported by an independent Advisory Board with representatives from defence, industry, academia and the science community. DSTG employs over 2500 staff, predominantly scientists, engineers, IT specialists and technicians.

DSTG has establishments in all Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory with representatives in Washington, London and Tokyo. It collaborates with science and technology organisations around the world to strengthen its technology base and works with Australian industry and universities to enhance defence capability. DSTG is a member of The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. It also has bilateral defence science agreements with USA, UK, France, Sweden, Netherlands, Norway and Singapore. In February 2012, DSTG was given the whole-of-government responsibility to co-ordinate research and development for Australia's national security.

History

DSTG has a history of delivering innovative science to support the Australian Defence Force. The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) was created in 1974 by amalgamating the Australian Defence Scientific Service with the Science Branch of the Department of Defence. Over the next 20 years various other Australian Defence laboratories were integrated with DSTO, including what remained of the Weapons Research Establishment, responsible for the Woomera test range.

1985 ABC news report interviewing David Warren about his invention of the 'Black Box'.
Director, Platforms Sciences Laboratory renamed DCDS (Platforms & Human Systems),
Director, Systems Sciences Laboratory renamed DCDS (Policy & Programs),
Director, Information Sciences Laboratory renamed DCDS (Information & Weapon Systems) and
First Assistant Secretary, Science Policy renamed Chief, Science Planning & Coordination Division.
Air Operations Division to report to DCDS (Platforms & Human Systems).
New stand-alone Information Integration Branch created in Edinburgh under DCDS (Information & Weapon Systems).

Sites

DSTG has its headquarters at Fairbairn in Canberra with sites in each state of Australia:

It also has a presence in the Russell Offices in Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory. [14]

Previous sites have included:

Chief Defence Scientist

The Chief Defence Scientist of Australia leads the Defence Science & Technology Group (DSTG Group). [15] Prof. Tanya Monro is the current Chief Defence Scientist, having taken up the role in March 2019. [16]

Chief Defence ScientistsPeriod in office
Dr Alan Butement 1949–1967
H A Wills 1968–1971
Dr J L Farrands 1971–1977
Prof Tom Fink 1978–1986
Henry d'Assumpcao 1987–1990
Dr R G Ward 1991–1992
Dr R G Brabin-Smith 1993–2000
Dr Ian Chessell 2000–2003
Dr Roger Lough 2003–2008
Prof Robert Clark 2008–2011
Dr Alex Zelinsky 2012–2018
Prof Tanya Monro 2019–

Organisational structure

The More, Together: Defence Science and Technology Strategy 2030 [17] was launched in May 2020 and sets the directions for defence science and technology (S&T) out to 2030. It includes initiatives to focus resources on Defence's highest strategic priorities, and supports more streamlined transitioning of ideas into capability. The key objectives of the Strategy are to focus on larger S&T programs supporting Defence strategic priorities, increase scale by partnering with the national S&T enterprise and international partners, deliver impact and a capability edge through streamlined and secure innovation pathways.

The Strategy is underpinned by three strategic pillars and introduces the Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Shot concept. While the STaR Shots focus the national S&T enterprise on Defence objectives to deliver leap-ahead capabilities, the strategic pillars enable the STaR Shots and support the broader Defence S&T program.

Previously, the launch of DSTG's five-year Strategic Plan 2013–18 [18] helped to streamline its organisational structure to better reflect Defence priorities and align with the 2013 Defence White Paper. [19] The new structure came into effect from 1 July 2013 and provided three Corporate Divisions: Science Strategy and Program Division, Science Partnerships and Engagement Division and Research Services Division along with seven Research Divisions: Maritime Division, Land Division, Aerospace Division, Joint and Operations Analysis Division, National Security and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division, Cyber and Electronic Warfare Division, and Weapons and Combat Systems Division. [20]

Equipment

Aircraft

See also

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References

  1. "PORTFOLIO BUDGET STATEMENTS 2023-24 BUDGET RELATED PAPER No.1.4A DEFENCE PORTFOLIO" . Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. "Stop Press! Name Change" (Press release). 31 July 2015. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 9 December 2015. As part of the First Principles Review implementation, from 1 July 2015 the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has been renamed as the Defence Science and Technology Group.
  3. Each country defines which aircraft are required to carry "Black Boxes". For example: Australia: CAO 20.18, para 6.1; USA: §121.343, §121.344 and §135.152 of Chapter 14 of the US Code of Federal Aviation Regulations; etc.
  4. 1 2 International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences.
  5. DSTO wins international award for aeronautical work Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine .
  6. Professor Robert Clark appointed as new CDS – 2008 Archived 19 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine .
  7. Trialling hypersonic flight at Woomera Archived 10 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine .
  8. Dr Alex Zelinsky appointed as new CDS – 2012 Archived 3 May 2012 at the Wayback Machine .
  9. "New Chief Defence Scientist announced". www.dst.defence.gov.au. 24 January 2019. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  10. "Academy Fellow appointed Chief Defence Scientist | Australian Academy of Science". www.science.org.au. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  11. The area in South Australia occupied by DSTG was renamed from Salisbury to Edinburgh in 2002.
  12. The DSTO Maribyrnong site was shut down in May 2007 and all remaining personnel were moved to a new facility within the existing DSTG Fishermans Bend site.
  13. DSTG Pyrmont commenced moving to Redfern in 2008.
  14. Personnel at the DSTG Canberra Fern Hill Park site moved to new facilities at Fairbairn during 2007 & 2008. DSTG staff are also located in Russell Offices, Campbell Park Offices, Brindebella Business Park and various scientific liaison officers are located "on the south side of the lake".
  15. DSTG website, dst.defence.gov.au
  16. "Our leadership". Defence Science and Technology. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  17. "More, Together Strategy 2030". Department of Defence. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  18. "DSTO Strategic Plan 2013–2018". defence.gov.au. Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  19. "Defence White Paper 2013". Department of Defence. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
  20. "Our Structure". DST Group. Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2017.