AUKUS Go FAST

McLaren Automotive Ltd has collaborated with California-based industrial digital manufacturing company Divergent Technologies, Inc to deliver advanced suspension hardware designed and engineered for its latest supercar, the McLaren W1. Launched earlier this month, the McLaren W1 is the ground-breaking successor to two of the greatest supercars ever – the McLaren F1 and P1™ - and has been created according to the McLaren ethos of class-leading performance. The new McLaren W1 features Formula 1-inspired front suspension which is mounted directly into the Aerocell carbon fibre monocoque. Divergent’s additive manufacturing technology has aided McLaren’s development of efficient and complex suspension systems for optimal durability and stiffness, which include the front upper wishbone, aero form lower wishbone and front upright for McLaren’s latest supercar. The externally visible front wishbones are key components 3D-printed by Divergent. The company’s innovative methods of designing and manufacturing have allowed McLaren’s engineers to rapidly iterate designs to progress development of the supercar’s groundbreaking structural suspension components, which have contributed to the W1’s superior vehicle performance and driver engagement. AUKUS Forum Michael Sharpe

Popular car brands are collecting and sharing driver data from braking patterns and odometer readings to vehicle location and voice recognition information, consumer advocacy group Choice has found. Choice sifted through the privacy policies of the 10 most popular car brands in Australia to identify which tracked their drivers and passengers. As car makers add microphones, sensors and other internet-connected features, cars are fast becoming all-seeing data-harvesting machines dubbed "smartphones on wheels". But many car makers are not being up-front about data collection and often keep the fine print in their privacy policies vaguely worded, Choice investigative reporter Jarni Blakkarly said. "We found that seven out of 10 of those car brands contain concerning privacy policies that allow them to track driver data, driving habits, and sell that data to third parties. The findings of the Choice investigation are similar to those of the US-based Mozilla Foundation, which last year found 25 car brands collected customer data ranging from facial expressions to sexual activity and where and how people drive. Cars were a "privacy nightmare on wheels" and "the official worst category of products for privacy" the foundation said it had ever reviewed. Last month the US moved to ban a huge array of Chinese-made cars over fears the Chinese government could spy on their drivers. "Commercial surveillance is one thing, but the shadow gets much darker when you have government surveillance." #AUKUS #Security https://lnkd.in/gCgkxYTp

This Spectacular Semi-Autonomous Off-Road Rescue Vehicle was designed for the US Army. Meet Deep Orange 15, a semi-autonomous search and rescue vehicle developed by Clemson University’s Department of Automotive Engineering students. The all-terrain vehicle promises enhanced safety in the most precarious scenarios. Its capabilities don’t stop on semi-autonomous features, as the vehicle can drive back to the designated emergency center with two injured people on board while the driver can help in the rescue efforts in a natural disaster-struck location. The robust rescue vehicle designed for the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) comes with an advanced LiDAR and camera setup to map the terrain to create a safe route to help the rescue workers. Deep Orange 15 has a hybrid-powered drivetrain with a diesel engine mounted on the chassis and four electric motors on the wheels. The diesel engine simultaneously runs the generator to feed the large battery pack. To traverse any terrain, the four-wheeler has an active suspension system. This project is a combined effort of the two organizations along with big brand names like Brembo, Fox Racing and North American Rescue. To improve the vehicle’s dynamics and function, modeling and simulation runs have also been performed for its use in military operations. In fact, the students working on the project have done an exceptional job, designing the vehicle in just 18 months keeping in mind the requirements of the elite forces of the US Army. See https://lnkd.in/gmH-F5XU AUKUS Forum

What does a car manufacturer whose models race past the tracks in a Formula One race and the manufacturer of a hypersonic missile have in common? To a layman this may be like comparing oranges to apples. It has now emerged in various news reports that the Formula One team McLaren will be collaborating with the British Ministry of Defence on its hypersonic missile program. The car maker will be amongst other things advising the Ministry of Defence on matters pertaining to optimizing supply chain relationships. The details of the cooperation remain vague and this comes in the midst of an arms race in the manufacturing and innovation in the field of hypersonic missiles. The Accelerator team of McLaren and the defence ministry’s hypersonic department will be collaborating. The car manufacturer confirmed that they are not in the business of production of hypersonic missiles. This project will see the car brand share their knowledge of high-performance environments among others. See https://lnkd.in/gbEnZNGy AUKUS Forum #AUKUS Michael Sharpe

Oshkosh Defense has signed a $72.9-million contract to deliver additional Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) A2 for the US Army. The platforms will be added to the 2,677 FMTV A2s delivered to the service since the initial order under the program. The latest deal serves as the army’s fourth order for the vehicles this year, including a tranche worth $108.9 million last May for the service and its foreign military sales partners. “The FMTV A2 demonstrates Oshkosh’s engineering innovation and manufacturing expertise to design vehicles that adapt to dynamic mission demands and surpass performance requirements,” Oshkosh Defense Chief Programs Officer Pat Williams stated. “We are honored to contribute to the Army’s modernization efforts and deliver the most advanced tactical vehicles to support evolving missions while enhancing the safety and effectiveness of our Soldiers.” The FMTV A2 is offered in 12 truck, 4 chassis, and 3 trailer options to support different user requirements. Its main variants include a 4×4 cargo, 6×6 cargo, and dump truck that can be integrated with different mission components. Depending on its configuration, the FMTV A2 can transport payloads weighing from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds (2,268 to 9,072 kilograms). In 2023, the US Army tapped Oshkosh to provide 16 variants worth $201 million. This contract followed a $141-million contract for approximately 400 FMTVs. See https://lnkd.in/gAYKvTaC AUKUS Forum #AUKUS Michael Sharpe

🚗 From Snowy Hydro to AUKUS: A Legacy of Australian Innovation 🚗 Did you know that during the historic Snowy Hydro Scheme, seatbelts were first developed and fitted into site vehicles? This groundbreaking safety measure not only protected workers in tough conditions but also revolutionised road safety across Australia. 🇦🇺 The seatbelts were designed, engineered and manufactured in Sydney - now displayed at the Powerhouse Museum - see https://lnkd.in/gukSbmd2 The seatbelt technology used in the Snowy Hydro vehicles later became a critical component of road safety initiatives across Australia, demonstrating how innovations developed for a specific project could be transferred to broader civilian applications. What started as a solution to ensure the safety of workers in remote and rugged conditions ultimately became a life-saving measure nationwide. Now, with the AUKUS Go FAST initiative, we’re carrying that legacy forward—accelerating breakthroughs for defense vehicle manufacturing. From advanced composites and additive manufacturing to rapid prototyping and robotics welding, we're building collaborative efforts and driving innovation and efficiency once again. 🔧 Innovation yesterday. 🔧 Innovation today. 🔧 Innovation for tomorrow. To get involved, contact AUKUS Forum Operations Director Catherine Krimmer - cathy@aukusforum.com #Innovation #AustralianEngineering #AUKUS #GoFAST #AdvancedManufacturing #SnowyHydro #Collaboration #DefenseTech

Here we grow 💪