South Australia’s Flinders University will play a leading role in a national network of Australian universities accelerating cutting-edge research into advanced energetic materials and technologies, critical to supporting Australia’s guided weapons and explosive ordnance capability.
The South Australian university and Victoria’s RMIT University have been selected as strategic partners to lead the Australian Energetic Materials Research Network, which was recently established by the Defence Science and Technology Group.
The network will bring together universities from across Australia to drive research and development and build the future workforce required for a sustainable Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.
The initiative will foster a national community of practice, leveraging Australia’s innovation, science and technology ecosystem to advance energetic materials capability.
Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro said the network would ensure Australia’s world-class researchers gained real-world insights into how energetic materials are applied in today’s strategic environment.
“Investing in energetic material technologies strengthens GWEO sovereign capability, helps mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and delivers an asymmetric advantage to our ADF,” Professor Monro said.
Energetic materials, including advanced explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics, underpin emerging defence domains such as hypersonics and long-range precision fires, both identified as priorities in the National Defence Strategy.
“Cutting-edge research in the formulation, manufacturing and integration of energetic material technologies creates opportunities for Australian industry, including highly skilled jobs, and enhances GWEO preparedness,” Professor Monro said.
Flinders University’s involvement underscores South Australia’s established strengths and national reputation in defence research and development. The university’s leadership reflects the state’s role as a growing hub for GWEO innovation and sovereign capability.
