ASCA: embracing courage to take Defence further, faster

The Advanced Strategic Capability Accelerator (ASCA), has embraced courage in every aspect of how it is transforming the way breakthrough military solutions are delivered.

Professor Emily Hilder is head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).

Courage; a core Defence value that represents the strength of character to say and do the right thing in the face of adversity.
At the Advanced Strategic Capability Accelerator (ASCA), we have embraced courage in every aspect of how we are transforming the way breakthrough military solutions are delivered.

Launched on July 1, 2023, ASCA is fully operational, with all three programs underway
and demonstrating how defence innovation can move at an accelerated pace.

For many, what we are delivering will be the measurement of our organisation’s success, however in my mind that is just one part of the equation. How ASCA is delivering this transformational process at speed holds equal, if not greater, value.

As emphasised by Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro, “ASCA is a licence for courage”, allowing our team to challenge the existing norms within Defence, and to find new, innovative solutions to expedite outcomes.

As we learn by doing, ASCA is testing and learning how we can challenge existing processes and systems which in turn contributes to broader Defence procurement reform.

In one example, our Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) Challenge has demonstrated this through our ability to enter contracts with companies within three weeks from successful evaluation. We achieved this because we recognised there were lower risks associated with this activity, and that Defence’s standard procurement procedures would not deliver our intended outcome.

In this instance, the greater risk was that the fast-moving technology would become obsolete before we acquired it.

The team’s ability to challenge and test a new process allowed us to operate under more suitable terms for the partnership with industry, resulting in a faster outcome.

Our relationships are also critical to our success.

We work closely with our colleagues in the services to ensure we shape and design
call-outs for capabilities that our Australian Defence Force urgently need.

The ability to accept that capability parameters may change in this fast-paced environment, and our ability to pivot when this arises, is what will help develop an adaptive Australian defence innovation ecosystem.

We also work together with the Capability and Sustainment Group to develop and refine new approaches to contracting and procurement, and together we effectively harness and coordinate an ecosystem that can drive capability development and acquisition pathways at speed.

Engaging with organisations from the Australian defence industry and beyond is central to the delivery process. We are actively encouraging participation from the innovation, science and technology sectors – from start-ups and small and medium enterprises to universities, research providers and investors – who we rely on to identify innovation opportunities and, in turn, help us link technology development with accelerating acquisition.

Of course there may be times where we get it wrong, and our evaluations show us that we could have done something differently – but our strength will be the ability to learn and rapidly adapt, changing course for a better outcome.

This in itself is a cultural shift not only for Defence, but for our partners, too. The ability to accept that capability parameters may change in this fast-paced environment, and our ability to pivot when this arises, is what will help develop an adaptive Australian defence innovation ecosystem.

The ability to be courageous can only be achieved with leadership support.

Our newly appointed external advisory board, with members from across the innovation ecosystem, are helping to create this culture and put ASCA in a position to be brave, different and strive for a new way of accelerating defence capability.

I am excited for what is upcoming in ASCA’s future and the defence innovation ecosystem in Australia. We have the capability as a nation to deliver on Defence’s highest priorities and through our adoption of courage, we are on a pathway to take Defence further, faster.

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Emily Hilder is head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator.