QinetiQ Australia and the Defence Science and Technology Group form Strategic Alliance
Above:
The agreement was signed in Canberra on 26 February 2016 by QinetiQ Australia Managing Director Greg Barsby and head of DST Group Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky and was witnessed by Wing Commander Ben Main from the Directorate General Technical Airworthiness – Australian Defence Force (DGTA-ADF).
The partnership between QinetiQ Australia and DST Group spans two decades, which includes several Aircraft Structural Integrity (ASI) programs undertaken with the DGTA-ADF and six years of QinetiQ Australia operating DST Group’s integrated engineering services facilities at Fishermans Bend in Port Melbourne.
This month the DGTA-ADF awarded QinetiQ Australia a long-term, follow-on and performance-based contract in ASI services encompassing certification, through-life support, stress and fatigue management, airframe life extension, design of repairs and modifications, software development and Non-Destructive Testing.
A major focus of the strategic alliance will be on ASI capability to strengthen the existing partnership between QinetiQ Australia, DST Group and the DGTA-ADF and ensure the continued safe operation, enhanced capability and reduced cost of ownership of Australian Defence Force aircraft.
Other R&D areas, which draw upon existing areas of deep technical expertise at a local and global level in QinetiQ, are traditional and exotic materials, signatures, unmanned aviation systems, weapons, training, cost assurance and integrated soldier systems.
Greg Barsby, QinetiQ Australia Managing Director said: “This Strategic Alliance is significant because, firstly, it cements the tripartite partnership between QinetiQ Australia, DST Group and the DGTA-ADF in ASI, and, secondly, it combines the strengths of QinetiQ’s global business with DST Group’s scientific innovation in several collaborative R&D efforts.”
Dr Alex Zelinsky , DST Group Chief Defence added: “Entering into this strategic alliance builds upon the strong relationship DST Group already has with QinetiQ. Leveraging the synergies between our organisations has the potential to bring real capability enhancements to the ADF in areas that require innovation, deep technical expertise and scientific knowledge.”
Under the Strategic Alliance, QinetiQ Australia and DST Group have also pledged to support the ongoing professional development, retention and career progression of each other’s staff through training activities and employee rotations.