This episode collects a number of interviews recorded at the Indo Pacific 2025 event held in Sydney at the start of November. Starting with Grant McHerron and Max Blenkin talking with Marcus Hellyer, Strategic Advisor at C2 Robotics, to explore the company's guiding philosophy of generating mass affordably using autonomous systems. We delve into C2 Robotics' heritage in electro-optical sensors and machine learning for navigation within GPS-denied environments, and the development of their Large Uncrewed Underwater Vessel, Speartooth, We wrap up by reviewing the company's initial export success and participation in the Royal Australian Navy's Autonomous Warrior trials, and emphasizing the need for diverse systems across different missions and price points.

=—-=

Next up, Grant speaks with Phil Guy, Managing Director at Mellori Solutions, Christo Swanepoel, Structural Engineer and Michael Ashelford, Project Manager at Global Defence Solutions, and Jacob Hobbs, Systems Engineer and Adel Swanepoel, Testing and Technology Manager (NSW) at Mellori Solutions. We discuss their recent announcement of Blue Jay Horizon, a test and assurance system for electromagnetic sensors installed on helicopters, naval vessels, and land-based platforms. Built in regional NSW, the system’s target markets are the Australian and New Zealand Defence Forces, as well as export markets including the UK, Europe, and the US. We wrap up by assessing the immense technological challenge involved in miniaturising powerful electronics for naval deployment, requiring innovative solutions for heat management, power conditioning, and operator interfaces.

=—-=

We then move to Fortinet's stand where we talk to Nicole Henry, Head of Government Affairs for Australia and New Zealand, and Istvan Takacs, Enterprise Solutions Architect, about cybersecurity's importance to national productivity, the risk that post-quantum cryptography poses, and how Fortinet has introduced quantum-safe features in its operating system. We wrap up by discussing ASD requirements and NIST standards for implementing post-quantum cryptographic systems to help assure security into the future.

=—-=

Grant was able to catch up with Mike Hanlin, Senior Director of International Strategy & Business Development at Shield AI, to talk about its mission to protect service members and civilians using intelligent systems. Our discussion examines V-BAT, their low-cost, long-range VTOL aircraft designed for search and strike missions in contested environments, highlighting its successes in Ukraine. We then turn to X-BAT, the world's first AI-piloted fighter jet leveraging proven GE F110 engines, advanced autonomy, and vertical landing capability. We wrap up by assessing Shield AI's role in the Indo-Pacific market, including Australia as a hub for expansion and strategic investments to address long logistics chains and enhance naval operations with their innovative autonomous solutions.

Links:

C2 Robotics' Speatooth LUUV

c2robotics.com.au/products/speartooth

Mellori Solutions' Blue Jay Horizon

mellori.com.au/products/blue-jay-horizon

Fortinet

www.fortinet.com

Shield AI

shield.ai

------------------

The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via defmag@yaffa.com.au to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.

Hosted by Grant McHerron

Editor: Chris Visscher

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025