Ghost Shark and Beyond: ASCA’s Plans to Build on Year One Success

By Darian Macey, August 7 2024

Defence’s innovation incubator has made significant strides in its first year, facilitating $200m in contracts and an Unmanned Submersible Vehicle (USV) prototype. The “Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator Mission Update” session at the Defence + Industry Conference, presented by Professor Emily Hilder, FTSE, provided a comprehensive overview of the achievements and future plans of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).

Professor Hilder began by expressing gratitude to industry partners for their support and patience, which have been instrumental in ASCA’s progress over the past year. She shared some impressive figures: over $200 million in innovation contracts awarded, with more than half going directly to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This demonstrates ASCA’s commitment to fostering innovation and supporting local industry.

The presentation outlined ASCA’s three core programs:

1. Innovation Missions: Focused on addressing specific problem statements within a two to five-year timeframe, these missions aim to deliver capabilities that can be quickly transitioned to the warfighter. Professor Hilder emphasised the importance of co-designing solutions with industry and stakeholders to ensure they meet the needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
2. Innovation Incubation Program: This program seeks to rapidly test and bring new technologies into the military context to address pressing capability problems. An example highlighted was the Sovereign Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) challenge, which aims to develop locally manufactured UAS solutions.
3. Emerging and Disruptive Technologies Program: Aimed at developing capabilities for the decade and beyond, this program focuses on building the research and development (R&D) base necessary to solve future defence challenges. Professor Hilder mentioned quantum technologies and synthetic media and disinformation as key areas of investment.

One of the standout achievements discussed was ASCA Mission Zero, also known as the Ghost Shark program. This mission, which began before ASCA was formally established, has seen remarkable success. The first prototype was delivered a year ahead of schedule, demonstrating the potential for accelerated capability development. This program involved significant collaboration with Australian industry, with over 40 companies contributing to the project.

Professor Hilder also announced the upcoming ASCA Pitch Day at the ADSTAR Summit, which aims to uncover innovative solutions that may not have been previously considered. This initiative will provide opportunities for industry to present new ideas and technologies that could address unanticipated defence challenges.

Here are my key takeaways from the session:

1. Impressive Progress: ASCA has made significant strides in its first year, awarding substantial innovation contracts and engaging extensively with SMEs. This progress underscores the value of industry collaboration in accelerating capability development.
2. Strategic Focus: The three core programs—Innovation Missions, Innovation Incubation, and Emerging and Disruptive Technologies—are well-aligned with ASCA’s goal of rapidly delivering new capabilities to the ADF. Each program addresses different timelines and types of innovation, ensuring a comprehensive approach to capability development.
3. Successful Collaboration: The Ghost Shark program exemplifies the potential of effective collaboration between ASCA, industry partners, and other stakeholders. Delivering a prototype ahead of schedule highlights the benefits of streamlined processes and clear transition pathways.
4. Future Opportunities: Initiatives like the ASCA Pitch Day provide valuable platforms for industry to present innovative solutions, potentially leading to new partnerships and accelerated capability development. This open approach to innovation encourages diverse ideas and technologies.
5. Commitment to Sovereignty: ASCA’s focus on developing sovereign capabilities, such as the Sovereign UAS challenge, demonstrates a commitment to enhancing Australia’s self-reliance in critical defence technologies. This aligns with broader national security objectives and supports local industry growth.

Overall, Professor Hilder’s presentation reinforced the importance of innovation, collaboration, and strategic focus in advancing Australia’s defence capabilities. The progress made by ASCA in its first year is commendable, and the future initiatives outlined promise continued advancements and opportunities for industry engagement. As an audience member, I left with a renewed sense of optimism about the potential for Australia’s defence sector to innovate and thrive through effective partnerships and a clear strategic vision.

Author: Darian Macey

Darian is a former Engineering Officer with the RAE with tertiary qualifications in Engineering and Project Management. He is a leading practitioner within Australia's NSI sector with previous employment in Government, project management and building contractor organisations.