Openings in defence technology
By Brendan O’Keefe
The modern theatre of battle is automated and remotely controlled, with the risk to personnel reduced by machines, which are increasingly being sent into battle.
The use of drone aeroplanes is widespread in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where they make strikes or are used in surveillance and data gathering operations.
Defence departments and contractors are driving the automation wave, demanding ever better recruits with high-level qualifications in robotics, engineering and computing.
Universities are responding by forging partnerships with industries and governments to tailor undergraduate and postgraduate programs to practical needs.
Representatives of three institutions, the University of Western Australia, Flinders University and Edith Cowan University, with backing from contractor Thales Australia, will next month demonstrate their skills at the final of a high-stakes international competition that seeks to find the next generation of battlefield robots.
The team will compete against others from the US, Britain and Turkey at Adelaide showground on November 6.
At stake is a $US750,000 prize and the chance to win a contract with the US and Australian defence departments.
The competition is organised by Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Organisation and the US Research Development and Engineering Command.
Robotics lecturer Adrian Boeing, from Edith Cowan University’s school of computer and security science says the project is directly applicable to defence use.
The Australian robot, a 40cm by 40cm by about 95cm “Jeep-like” creation, will range over a 500m by 500m course, making maps and gathering data to report back to its human masters.
“The real-world situation is when you have some improvised explosive device hidden somewhere beside a road,” Boeing says.
“Before you send your soldiers through, you send a robot through to detect and disarm the bomb and to provide general situational awareness to the soldiers.
“Defence started this competition to try and solve what it saw as a big problem.”
The organisation is a big recruiter of university graduates, and in the next year expects to take on about 70 from maths, physics, chemistry, technology, aero engineering, operations research, mechatronics and electrical and materials engineering.
In the next five years, the organisation says, strong demand is likely for graduates with a background in computer science (in particular, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence), maths, physics, signal processing, simulation and modelling, operations research, radar technology, electronic warfare, simulation, chemistry, materials science, computing, aeronautics, and mechanical and electronic engineering, a spokesman said. “Specifically, we are seeking experienced staff to join us and contribute to research and development work in areas such as electronic warfare, precision targeting, signature management, battlespace awareness, command and control and information networking and security.”
The organisation usually takes on about 50 graduates annually, but it took on double that number this year and will hire 70 next year.
It is in close contact with universities, especially in Victoria and South Australia, and participates in annual careers fairs.
“When required, we will also contact students of specific interest via their faculty to encourage them to consider what DSTO has to offer by way of career,” the spokesman says. “DSTO also offers current university students industry experience placements (about 20 a year) and about 40 summer vacation scholarships.”
Boeing says Edith Cowan has led a “strong push for security sciences” and has increased its focus on artificial intelligence.
“A lot of the defence companies are looking for high-calibre, good-quality candidates with string programming skills.
“And there’s constant demand for engineers.”
The university says the electronics degree will focus on battery, sonar, surveillance and navigation technology and electronics capable of being used in harsh or extreme conditions.
The federal government’s defence White Paper, which has called for increased defence capabilities, especially naval, and the decision to buy 12 Future submarines, means there will be plenty of demand for specialist maritime electronics engineers.
The university has not released course details for the naval architecture degree, but says graduates will be accredited by Engineers Australia and Britain’s Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.
The University of Adelaide’s new master of marine engineering, offered in conjunction with the Defence Materiel Organisation, covers topics such as submarine design, naval ship design, mechanical and electrical engineering, sonar science, oceanography, fluid dynamics and project management. Students are required to complete 36 units in the 18-month (full-time) masters by degree coursework.
At least 21 of the units must be earned at the University of Adelaide, but the rest can be studied at collaborating institutions: the University of South Australia, the Australian Maritime College, Curtin University and RMIT.
Article from The Australian, October 23, 2010.
