FLINDERS FACTORY OF THE FUTURE

Maritime Defence

Maritime Defence capability relies on a diverse ecosystem of industries that design, manufacture, and sustain complex platforms and systems.

Flinders Factory of the Future supports this ecosystem, bringing together researchers and industry partners to solve shared challenges, accelerate the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies, and strengthen the capability of businesses operating within defence supply chains.

By providing access to expertise in human-technology integration, digital engineering, additive manufacturing, and workforce development, Flinders Factory of the Future enables industry to improve productivity, meet stringent defence requirements, and transition innovations from concept through to deployment.

Autonomous systems and sensors
Ship sustainment
Robotics
Additive manufacturing
Human-technology interaction

Cyber and artificial intelligence
Digital twinning and simulation
Design and prototyping
Testing and validation
Workforce capability

This work builds on Flinders University's long-standing research and training collaboration with BAE Systems Maritime Australia and years of engagement with Australia's maritime defence sector. Through collaborative research, workforce development and advanced manufacturing initiatives, Flinders has helped industry navigate technology adoption, industrial transformation and capability development in complex manufacturing environments. Today, Factory of the Future draws on this experience to support the defence advanced manufacturing ecosystem to respond to the evolving needs of major defence programs.

Building The Defence Workforce of the Future

Flinders University is helping to build the workforce needed to deliver Australia's future defence capability. his commitment has been recognised nationally by being awarded the Defence and National Security Workforce Award for Best Future Skills Provider for three consecutive years, reflecting the University's leadership in education, training and workforce development for the defence sector. Through Degree Apprenticeships and industry-connected engineering programs, students gain practical experience while studying in high-demand fields such as mechanical and nuclear engineering. Developed in partnership with defence industry leaders, these pathways create direct connections across the defence ecosystem and major industrial hubs such as Osborne. Alongside undergraduate programs, we deliver targeted professional development and training to help industry build the specialist skills needed for the future.

If your business supports the Defence sector and is looking to strengthen its manufacturing capability or explore new technologies, we invite you to get in touch to discuss how the Flinders Factory of the Future can support your needs.

Our impact

Building Australia's Digital Shipyard

Factory of the Future partnered with BAE Systems Maritime Australia to explore how emerging Industry 4.0 technologies could support the development of a digitally enabled shipbuilding workforce.

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Strengthening Sovereign Defence Supply Chains

Factory of the Future undertook a comprehensive industry engagement project to better understand the experiences, aspirations and challenges facing SME manufacturers operating within the defence ecosystem.

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Developing Future-Ready Defence Manufacturing Workforces

Through a series of workforce-focused research projects, Factory of the Future explored how technology, people and organisational systems can work together to support high-performance manufacturing environments.

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AICRAFT & Flinders advancing the future of space-based intelligence

Adelaide-based technology company AICRAFT have partnered with Flinders University through the Factory of the Future to develop advanced electronics that enable radar data to be processed directly onboard satellites.

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