Brisbane-based EPE to develop a portable detection system for the Royal Australian Navy

Under the Defence Innovation Hub fund, Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne awarded a $1million contract to Brisbane-based EPE, an SME providing a range of solutions that deliver comprehensive and sustainable capabilities against evolving threats, to develop a portable detection system for the Navy to sense distant explosives, chemical warfare agents, gasses and narcotics.

Warwick Penrose, Director of EPE said: “We’re proud to be working closely with Defence to develop this next generation force protection capability for those members of the Royal Australian Navy performing hazardous boarding operations. This innovation has the potential to deliver a new paradigm in boarding operations enabling stand-off detection prior to boarding.’

EPE provides a range of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence (CBRND), counter-IED and counter-drone technologies to the Australian and New Zealand defence forces, as well as to police and government agencies.

Penrose said that EPE’s PRIED (Portable Raman Improvised Explosive Detector) project “recognises EPE’s long term commitment and investment in building and developing sovereign force protection capabilities that help take Australian servicemen out of the danger zone. Our team delivers a broad spectrum of innovative Force Protection capabilities that are in service today with the ADF, NZDF as well as local and federal police and first responders”