ADF – Page 3 – CONTACT magazine

Defence Science and Technology Group’s molecular biologist Natalie Withington, uses the RASTRUM Allegro 3D cell bioprinter to grow organoids. Story by David Kilmartin. Photo by Megan Sheppard.

Printing mini livers to save lives

10/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1422 Views 0 Comments DSTG

When personnel are exposed (or potentially exposed) to chemical threats, they’re treated with countermeasures known as oximes. CAPTION: Defence Science

Sapper Veronica Bonner from 13th Engineer Regiment shows a combat ration pack to Army Reserve civilian employers at RAAF Base Curtin, Western Australia. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Corporal Andrew Sleeman.

ADF Australian Army Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Feedback fuels ration-pack improvements

10/02/202611/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1308 Views 1 Comment Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG)

So you’ve just spent six weeks in the bush living off ration packs, and as the finest makeshift chef in

An Australian Army S-70A-9 Black Hawk helicopter lands at Victoria Barracks in Sydney. Photo by Corporal Dustin Anderson.

ADF News

FOR SALE: 3 x Vic Bks in massive estate purge

04/02/202605/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2042 Views 6 Comments

The Australian government received an audit report of Defence estate at the end of 2023 and today made public that

Squadron Leader Chris Dilger in Poland. Story by Lieutenant Commander John A. Thompson. Photo by Lieutenant Commander J. A. Thompson.

ADF ADF People News

From mining shifts to delivering tanks

04/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 941 Views 0 Comments M1A1 Abrams, Operation Kudu, Ukraine

For Squadron Leader Chris Dilger, being stationed in Poland as part of Operation Kudu was a bit like a homecoming.

Personnel from across Defence roles and capabilities are recognised in the 2026 Australia Day honours. Photo by Major Roger Brennan.

ADF ADF People News

Defence personnel recognised on Australia Day

27/01/202627/01/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1483 Views 0 Comments Australia Day Honours

Australia Day From flood rescues to undersea warfare capability development, cyber operations and coalition deployments, 82 Defence personnel have been

Wargamers from Defence Science and Technology Group and the Army Battle Lab engage in an analytical wargame. Story by Robert Nutbrown. Photo by Mandom Paje.

ADF Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Wargamers explore tech of tomorrow

20/01/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1163 Views 0 Comments DSTG, Wargaming

Defence has staged the first Innovation and Asymmetry Wargame to explore how emerging technologies might shape future military operations. CAPTION:

A soldier views the new mySPECTRA software on his work computer. Photo by Corporal Luke Bellman.

ADF News Science & Technology

New software to manage Defence radio frequencies

10/01/202610/01/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1818 Views 0 Comments

Defence has completed operational test and evaluation on the new mySPECTRA software, designed to modernise management of the electromagnetic spectrum

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A conducts a flypast at the 2025 ADFA Graduation Parade. Story by Hannah Donald.Photo by Thomas Lucraft.

ADF Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Future leaders graduate from ADFA

19/12/202519/12/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2129 Views 0 Comments ADFA, Governor-General of Australia

Marking the completion of three years of university study and joint military training, 330 third-year Trainee Officers took to the

Director General Integrated Soldier System Branch, Brigadier Pat Murray, and NIOA’s General Manager - Weapons and Munitions, Mick Ahern, ink the new small arms support contract. Photo supplied by NIOA.

ADF News Sovereign industry

NIOA, Defence sign long-term small arms support contract

25/11/202525/11/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1879 Views 0 Comments

NIOA has signed a new long-term small arms support contract with the Australian Department of Defence. CAPTION: Director General Integrated

ADF News

Changes to top secret security clearances

21/11/202521/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2255 Views 0 Comments

Top Secret-Privileged Access security clearance has replaced Positive Vetting as Australia’s highest-level security clearance. CAPTION: The changes to top secret

Surgeon General of the ADF and patron of the Australasian Military Medicine Association, Rear Admiral Sonya Bennett, addresses the conference. Story by Michelle Hoare.

ADF Health and Wellbeing News

Meeting of minds on military medicine

21/11/202521/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1271 Views 1 Comment Australasian Military Medicine Association (AMMA)

The biggest ever Australasian Military Medicine Association (AMMA) Conference, held in Adelaide, drew more than 900 military health professionals to

Director-General of Security Mike Burgess.

ADF Australian Army Cyber News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Defending Australians against espionage

18/11/202518/11/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1547 Views 0 Comments

The ADF remains a prime target for foreign intelligence services, according to Australia’s security service. CAPTION: Director-General of Security Mike