$13m Centre to boost innovation

One of the world’s largest advanced technology companies, Lockheed Martin, will establish a new STELaRLab (Science, Technology, Engineering Leadership & Research Laboratory) in the heart of the University’s engineering and science innovation precinct.

The $13 million Centre is a collaboration between Lockheed Martin, the Defence Science Institute and the University.

It will open for an initial three years in existing University premises, before moving to a more permanent location as part of the University’s planned Carlton Connect Innovation Precinct.

It marks the first time Lockheed Martin has opened a research centre outside of the US.

The Centre’s establishment was coordinated through the Defence Science Institute, which was set up in 2010 to facilitate the growth of defence science research networks between Victorian universities, government and the defence industry.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) Professor James McCluskey, pictured, says the University’s collaboration with Lockheed Martin is strategically important.

“The University has made no secret of its desire to both deepen and broaden its engagement with industry to have high impact and work together to solve some of the world’s most challenging problems,” he says.

Professor James McCluskey, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)

The Centre is expected to grow rapidly over its 10 years, with its researchers to be co-located with universities around the country.

It will provide PhD scholarships and internships, while directly funding research projects and co-authoring applications in the future.

Initially the Centre is expected to focus on basic research, covering fields such as hypersonics, robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors and communications.