14 April 2025
Amid Navy’s largest anti-submarine warfare exercise in more than a decade off the Western Australian coast, one group is focused on some of Navy’s most powerful and sophisticated weapon systems – its people.
A team of Australian scientists from the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) have embarked on HMAS Choules to experience life at the “sharp end of the spear”, allowing them to better develop the next-generation capabilities used in theatres of war.
As Australia’s second-largest government-funded science organisation, DSTG has developed world-leading technologies such as the Jindalee Operational Radar Network, Nulka anti-ship missile decoy and Laser Airborne Depth Sounder.
DSTG operations analyst Jarred Roberts, deployed in Choules, said having the opportunity to gain warfighter knowledge was crucial to future research.
“When we create our models, if we don’t have the warfighter at front of mind, then a lot of the important details and nuance can be lost in our analysis,” he said.
“Having scientists on board and exposing them to what the Navy does allows us to create the next generation of operational analysts.”
Taking a fully empirical and holistic approach alongside scientists are DSTG psychologists, tasked with understanding the human side of operational outcomes.
'If we don’t have the warfighter at front of mind, then a lot of the important details and nuance can be lost in our analysis.'
DSTG psychologist Sophie Frank said as technology became more lethal and advanced, it had never been more important for top research minds to examine the social dynamics of operating at sea.
“People are the reasons the systems work, and the reasons we have them,” she said.
“If we don’t have the people, we cannot utilise the systems.”
Commanding Officer Choules Commander Arron Convery said he was thrilled to welcome the DSTG scientists on board to experience life at sea.
“We operate in difficult and challenging environments. Having our Defence scientists with us helps them develop systems to overcome the adversity our officers and sailors face on a daily basis,” Commander Convery said.
“Understanding life at sea will allow our talented scientists to create improved systems that could potentially save lives.”
ASWEX is important to maintain Navy’s rapidly deployable undersea warfare capabilities and its ability to operate with allied defence partners to protect Australia’s national interests.
Australia’s economy is heavily dependent on the unobstructed movement of maritime trade and uninterrupted operation of its commercial ports.
Navy is applying existing and evolving capabilities, tactics and techniques to protect Australian harbours, ports and shipping lanes to maintain the vital supply lines every Australian relies on in their daily lives.
