At the Australian Maritime College (AMC), we recognise that a secure and safe Australia depends on a robust maritime defence sector. As regional security needs evolve and naval operations move into increasingly extreme environments, we provide the expert capabilities and innovation required to protect our national interests.
Our excellence in proven capabilities enable our researchers to bridge the gap between fundamental theory and applied engineering to deliver high-calibre research, testing, and evaluation. For example, our research focuses on optimising naval platform performance through:
- Advanced design and testing of components of current and next generation resilient vessels.
- Sustainment solutions to maximise the longevity and readiness of the fleet.
- Close collaboration of our world-class researchers with industry and defence to create the innovative environment to solve complex engineering challenges. This is evident in the longstanding collaborations with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) and global defence industries. Together, we drive the research that builds Australia’s sovereign capacity, ensuring our nation remains a leader in maritime capability on the world stage.
Our greatest strength lies in the synergy between our expert researchers, technicians and our suite of specialised and world-class maritime facilities that are all located on our campus in Launceston, Tasmania. These facilities include the cavitation research laboratory, towing tank, model test basin, simulation centre, underwater collision laboratory, control laboratory and autonomous underwater vehicle facility, all of which provide the tools necessary to test the limits of naval technology.
A recent addition to enabling further collaboration with Defence, Government and industry is the Defence and Maritime Innovation and Design Precinct (DMIDP). Through investment by the Australian Government, the DMIDP has expanded AMC’s research footprint at our Launceston campus by providing a central R&D hub with capacity for co-location with our maritime and defence research partners and stakeholders and the University of Tasmania Defence Network. Three core areas of integrated research being undertaken within the MDIDP include three critical pillars of national security:
- Performance and survivability of vessels and maritime structures in high-risk environments.
- Enhancing the capability and well-being of the personnel serving at sea to increase resilience and performance.
- Remote surface and sub-surface maritime sensing and autonomous systems and vessels.
Providing potential solutions to Tasmanian, Australian and global challenges in collaboration with our industry and Government partners is what drives AMC’s research across maritime engineering and hydrodynamics, defence, maritime transport and logistics and coastal and offshore shipping.