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{{for|the Pakistani organisation|Defence Science and Technology Organization}}
{{for|the Pakistani organisation|Defence Science and Technology Organization}}
{{Infobox Government agency

|agency_name = Defence Science and Technology Organisation
|nativename =
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|headquarters = [[Fairbairn, Canberra]], [[Australia]]
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|jurisdiction = [[Commonwealth of Australia]]
|employees = 2500+
|budget =
|minister1_name =
|minister1_pfo =
|chief1_name = Dr Alex Zelinsky
|chief1_position =
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|website = [http://www.dsto.defence.gov.au/www.dsto.defence.gov.au]
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The '''Defence Science and Technology Organisation''' (DSTO) is a branch of the [[Department of Defence (Australia)|Australian Department of Defence]] dedicated to providing science and technology support for [[Australia]]'s defence and national security needs. It is Australia's second largest government-funded science organisation after the [[CSIRO]].
The '''Defence Science and Technology Organisation''' (DSTO) is a branch of the [[Department of Defence (Australia)|Australian Department of Defence]] dedicated to providing science and technology support for [[Australia]]'s defence and national security needs. It is Australia's second largest government-funded science organisation after the [[CSIRO]].


Revision as of 13:31, 17 April 2012

For the Pakistani organisation, see Defence Science and Technology Organization.
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
Agency overview
JurisdictionCommonwealth of Australia
HeadquartersFairbairn, Canberra, Australia
Employees2500+
Agency executive
  • Dr Alex Zelinsky
Website[1]

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is a branch of the Australian Department of Defence dedicated to providing science and technology support for Australia's defence and national security needs. It is Australia's second largest government-funded science organisation after the CSIRO.

To achieve its mission, DSTO provides scientific and technical support to current defence operations, investigates future technologies for defence and national security applications, advises on the purchase and smart use of defence equipment, develops new defence capabilities, and enhances existing systems by improving performance and safety and reducing the cost of owning defence assets.

The Chief Defence Scientist is the head of DSTO. The position is supported by an independent Advisory Board with representatives from defence, industry, academia and the science community.

DSTO has an annual budget of approximately $400 million and employs around 2500 staff, predominantly scientists, engineers, IT specialists and technicians. DSTO has establishments in all Australian states and the Australian Capital Terriotry with posted representatives in Washington and London.

In February 2012 DSTO was given the whole-of-government responsibility to coordinate research and development for Australia's national security.

DSTO collaborates with science and technology organisations around the world to strengthen its technology base and works closely with Australian industry and universities to enhance defence capability. International engagement allows DSTO to explore potential technological opportunities at significantly less cost and provides access to overseas capabilities otherwise not available to the ADF. DSTO 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.

DSTO manages the Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) program on behalf of Defence. This program is an avenue for innovation by Australian industry. It provides opportunities and funding for industry to demonstrate new technologies or the novel use of technology that can enhance capability in areas of defence priority.

Chief Defence Scientist

Chief Defence Scientist Period in office
Dr W A S Butment 1949 – 1967
Mr H A Willis 1968 – 1971
Dr J L Farrands 1971 – 1977
Professor P T Fink 1978 – 1986
Mr H A d'Assumpcao 1987 – 1990
Dr R G Ward 1991 – 1992
Dr R G Brabin-Smith 1993 – 2000
Dr C I Chessell 2000 – 2003
Dr R M Lough 2003 – 2008
Professor R Clark 2008 – 2011
Dr A Zelinksky 2012 –

Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program

The Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) Program is the Department of Defence’s flagship innovation program. It was established in 1997 to allow Australian industry to demonstrate new technologies (or the novel use of technology) with the potential to significantly enhance Defence capability.

The CTD Program is managed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and funded by the Capability Development Group in the Department of Defence.

Each year Defence invites Australian industry to submit technology proposals aimed at advancing defence capability in areas of priority. Promising proposals are funded to develop the concept to the demonstration stage so that Defence can evaluate the technology’s potential for military service and the risks of acquisition.

A CTD project is demonstrated to a Defence evaluation team after 2 to 3 years of funded development. Selected successful projects are identified for further development before they can be transitioned into fielded capability.

The CTD Program encourages the formation of multidisciplinary teams from Defence and industry. Such teams can include individual innovators, company employees, military capability managers and scientists who design and monitor a CTD project through to demonstration.

CTD proposals are evaluated against a number of criteria including the potential to contribute to defence capability development, the potential to transition into service and the level of innovation in the proposed technology.

Initial proposals for the CTD Program are invited through public advertisements in April/May each year with a closing date in July. Shortlisted companies are required to provide detailed proposals. After thorough evaluation, companies selected for funding are announced the following year in May/June.

History

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.

  • 1907 - Defence science begins in Australia.
  • 1910 - The start of explosives research at a guardhouse (called the Chemical Adviser’s Laboratory) at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne.
  • 1911 - Explosives Ordnance Factory established at Maribyrnong.
  • 1912 - Small Arms Factory established at Lithgow.
  • 1921 - Munitions Supply Board created within Department of Defence.
  • 1922 - Chemical Adviser’s Laboratory became the Munitions Supply Laboratories (MSL) of the Munitions Supply Board.
  • 1929 - Proof Range established at Port Wakefield.
  • 1939 - Aeronautical & Engine Research Test Laboratory established at Fishermans Bend as part of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Division of Aeronautics.
  • 1940 - Department of Munitions established. Salisbury Explosives Factory and Finsbury Munitions Factory built within rural environs of Adelaide.
  • 1946 - Munitions Supply Laboratories (MSL) established at Finsbury, South Australia (later known as Woodville North when the suburb name was changed) as a branch of MSL at Maribyrnong.
  • 1946 - Anglo-Australian Joint Project established at Woomera, with aviation support at RAAF Base Mallala.
  • 1947 - Long Range Weapons Establishment (LRWE) formed in Salisbury, South Australia to support the guided weapons facility at Woomera.
  • 1948 - Munitions Supply Laboratories changes its name to Defence Research Laboratories.
  • 1949 - Fishermans Bend laboratory transferred from CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) to the Department of Supply & Development; renamed Aeronautical Research Laboratories (ARL). Australian Defence Scientific Service established, incorporating LRWE and the Defence Research Laboratories.
  • 1949 - Laboratory established in Alexandria, NSW as part of Defence Research Laboratories to undertake research in physical metallurgy and metallurgical chemistry areas.
  • 1949 - Three new laboratories formed in Salisbury - High Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory, Propulsion Research Laboratory and the Electronics Research Laboratory, collectively known as the Chemistry & Physics Research Laboratory.
  • 1953 - Defence Research Laboratories changes its name to Defence Standards Laboratories.
  • 1955 - LRWE and all the Salisbury laboratories amalgamated to form the Weapons Research Establishment (WRE). RAAF Base Edinburgh established near Salisbury, superseding Mallala.
  • 1956 - The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Experimental Laboratory established.
  • 1957 - Black Box flight recorder invented by Dr David Warren. It is named the ARL Flight Memory Unit. Its descendants are now installed in every aircraft built.
  • 1958 - The Army Food Research Laboratories were formally established at Scottsdale, Tasmania under the Quartermaster General Branch, Army Headquarters. The Laboratories’ role included research and development of foods for the three Services. Laboratories renamed Defence Food Research Establishment-Vegetable Dehydration Division in 1958.
  • 1960 - The Defence Food Research Establishment-Vegetable Dehydration Division renamed The Army Food Science Establishment.
  • 1961 - The Army Food Science Establishment renamed The Army Food Research Station.
  • 1962 - Joint Tropical Research Unit (JTRU) established in Innisfail, Queensland and operated jointly with the British Ministry of Defence.
  • 1967 - Built and launched WRESAT, Australia's first artificial satellite.
  • 1969 - RAN Experimental Laboratory changes name to RAN Research Laboratory (RANRL).
  • 1971 - The Army Food Science Establishment renamed the Armed Forces Food Science Establishment.
  • 1972 - ARL transferred to the Department of Manufacturing Industry.
  • 1974 - As a result of Defence restructuring, the Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO) is created by integrating the Australian Defence Scientific Service, the in-house R&D units of the Armed Services and the Science Branch of the Department of Defence. Defence Standards Laboratories becomes the Materials Research Laboratories (MRL).
  • 1975 - Official transfer of all Defence R&D activities to DSTO in the Department of Defence. The Armed Forces Food Science Establishment (AFFSE) became part of the Service Laboratories and Trials (SLT) division of DSTO.
  • 1977 - Joint Tropical Trials and Research Establishment established (JTTRE), merging JTRU and Tropical Trials Establishment situated at Cowley Beach, Queensland.
  • 1977 - MRL, Woodville North transferred to CSIRO Division of Materials Science.
  • 1978 - WRE split into four smaller laboratories: Weapons Systems Research Laboratory (WSRL), Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL), Trials Research Laboratory (TRL) and Advanced Engineering Laboratory (AEL).
  • 1982 - The Armed Forces Food Science Establishment became a part of Materials Research Laboratories (MRL).
  • 1984 - RAN Research Laboratory transferred to WSRL.
  • 1985 - Materials Research Laboratories, Alexandria, NSW transferred to Army.
  • 1987 - Five year restructuring of DSTO laboratories begins. New Surveillance Research Laboratory created and WRE’s Electronics Research Laboratory reorganised. RANRL transferred to MRL and renamed.
  • 1989 - Control of Cowley Beach was returned to the Army and Innisfail became MRL, Qld.
  • 1992 - The UK-Australia Tropical Research agreement terminated.
  • 1991 - WSRL abolished to leave four laboratories in DSTO.
  • 1994 - ARL and MRL merge to form the Aeronautical & Maritime Research Laboratory (AMRL) headquartered in Fishermans Bend. Surveillance Research Laboratory and Electronics Research Laboratory merge to form the Electronics & Surveillance Research Laboratory (ESRL) headquartered in Salisbury, leaving only two laboratories in DSTO.
  • 1994 - The Armed Forces Food Science Establishment was renamed The Defence Food Science Centre (DFSC).
  • 1997 - ESRL complex rationalised and new "Knowledge Systems Building" in Edinburgh, South Australia, (the newly renamed part of Salisbury containing DSTO), officially opened. The Defence Food Science Centre (DFSC) was renamed Defence Nutrition Research Centre (DNRC). Port Wakefield Proof Range became the Proof and Experimental Establishment.
  • 2002 - DSTO restructured, resulting in three laboratories: Platforms Sciences Laboratory, Systems Sciences Laboratory and Information Sciences Laboratory.
  • 2003 - Maritime Operational Analysis Centre (MOAC) opened at Garden Island, Sydney
  • 2004 - H A Wills Structures and Materials Test Centre officially opened at Fishermans Bend.
  • 2004 - CBRN functions transferred from Maribyrnong to Fishermans Bend.
  • 2004 - Torpedo Systems Centre and Maritime Experimentation Laboratory opened at DSTO Edinburgh
  • 2005 - Laboratory Directors renamed to DCDS (Deputy Chief Defence Scientist):
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).
  • 2006 - DSTO and US Air Force sign agreement on Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) Program.
  • 2007 - DSTO Maribyrnong shut down in May with all personnel moved to a new facility within the existing DSTO Fishermans Bend site.
  • 2007 - DSTO establishes Brisbane laboratory to undertake hypersonics research.
  • 2007 - DSTO celebrates 100 Years of Defence Science and Technology in Australia
  • 2007 - Personnel at DSTO Canberra Fern Hill Park moved to new facilities at Fairbairn.
  • 2008 - DSTO Pyrmont commenced move to Eveleigh.
  • 2008 - Professor Robert Clark appointed Chief Defence Scientist, the first external appointment to the post since 1991.[1]
  • 2010 - DSTO organizes the Multi Autonomous Ground-robotic International Challenge with US Army.
  • 2012 - Dr Alex Zelinsky appointed Chief Defence Scientist in March 2012.[2]

Sites

DSTO 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.[6]

See also

  • NICTA (National ICT Australia) - Australia's national information and communication technology research centre
  • CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) - the national government body for scientific research in Australia
  • ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) - Australia’s national nuclear organisation and the centre of Australian nuclear expertise
  • TTCP (The Technical Cooperation Program) - An international defence science and technology collaboration between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
  • South Australian Aviation Museum - repository of DSTO's historic rocket collection from the period 1950 - 1980.

Notes

  1. ^ Professor Robert Clark appointed as new CDS - 2008.
  2. ^ Dr Alex Zelinsky appointed as new CDS - 2012.
  3. ^ The area in South Australia occupied by DSTO was renamed from Salisbury to Edinburgh in 2002.
  4. ^ The DSTO Maribyrnong site was shut down in May 2007 and all remaining personnel were moved to a new facility within the existing DSTO Fishermans Bend site.
  5. ^ DSTO Pyrmont commenced moving to Redfern in 2008.
  6. ^ Personnel at the DSTO Canberra Fern Hill Park site moved to new facilities at Fairbairn during 2007 & 2008. DSTO 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".

References

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