SPOTLIGHT: HIMARS, the littoral and maritime strike, with Josh Woodward and Wayne Harrison, Lockheed Martin
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, special returning host Liam Garman is joined by Lockheed Martin’s Josh Woodward and Wayne Harrison to discuss the transformational impact of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the Australian Defence Force. The trio discuss the range of ways HIMARS will serve as a significant transformation in Australia’s approach to littoral and long-range strike warfare. They also discuss how HIMARS, when armed with precision-guided munitions such as the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and the longer-range Army Tactical Missile System – and soon to be integrated with the Precision Strike Missile – enables land forces to engage high-value targets at ranges exceeding 500 kilometres. This blurs traditional boundaries between land and maritime domains, allowing the Army to contribute meaningfully to joint strike missions once reserved for the Air Force or Navy. Finally, they discuss how HIMARS is more than an artillery platform – it represents a strategic enabler within an integrated joint fires network. When linked with persistent surveillance, space-based sensors, and command-and-control systems, HIMARS provides the ADF with a flexible, scalable, and responsive strike capability. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team
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CYBER UNCUT: Wikipedia’s AI woes, Tassie NFP hit by ransomware, and Bryan Cranston strikes back
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth talk about the latest AI news, the week in cyber crime, an important Aussie merger, and how a Hollywood actor is reclaiming his identity. The pair kick things off with some AI news, including Wikipedia woes, OpenAI’s Atlas, and Yelp’s new AI travel offering. Hollingworth and Croft then move on to the latest in cyber crime on Australian shores, but not before exploring the merger of AUCyber and 5G Networks. Hollingworth also has an update on the Collins Aerospace hack, with the threat actor making some outrageous claims about what the company knew and when. Finally, some good news, as actor Bryan Cranston wins a victory over OpenAI’s use of his virtual likeness. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team
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CONTESTED GROUND: From PNG to Gaza – what’s defining Australia’s security future
In this episode of the Cyber Uncut podcast, Daniel Croft and David Hollingworth touch on the latest in AI and how state governments are regulating its use, the Qantas leak and the 5 million people impacted, and we chat about major cyber attacks with SolarWinds CISO Tim Brown. Croft and Hollingworth begin by discussing the fight that CBA has ignited with the Finance Sector Union and former staff after they botched an AI rollout. The pair then discuss the massive Qantas hack, the 5 million people affected and the identity of the hackers behind it. The podcast then cuts to a chat between Hollingworth and SolarWinds’ CISO, Tim Brown, who provides a deep insight as to what it’s like being in the middle of a major cyber attack. Finally, the two discuss the social media age ban once again, with the government now having launched an education campaign. Enjoy the episode, The Cyber Uncut team
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Veteran Games, defence treaties and ADF recruitment, with former commando Heston Russell
In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, senior journalist Robert Dougherty is joined by returning guest Heston Russell – a public speaker, author and former Australian Special Forces officer – to discuss the 2025 Veteran Games and the recent grand finals held on the Gold Coast (11 and 12 October). Russell has previously served in 2nd Commando Regiment as a commando platoon commander, was deployed to four combat operational deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, served in Iraq as a Special Operations joint lead planner within the Special Operations Joint Task Force and completed a year-long exchange within the United States Special Operations Command. He holds a bachelor of arts from UNSW Sydney, majoring in history and Indonesian. The pair discuss a range of issues, including: The finale of the 2025 Veteran Games Grand Finals in Queensland, course obstacles and the triumph of winning team Brisbane Veterans Rugby League Football Club. The newly signed defence agreement between Australia and Papua New Guinea, the possibility of up to 10,000 Papua New Guineans serving with the Australian Defence Force and the formation of the new Papua New Guinea Chiefs professional rugby team. The challenges in Australian Defence Force recruitment and what it takes for veterans to recommend their own journey as a career path to young people. Russell’s thoughts about the “military fitness standards” speech delivered by US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to US generals and flag officers at Quantico in Virginia in September. The new era of drone warfare and Russell’s personal experiences facing early drone and drone-dropped explosives during deployment in the Middle East. They round out the podcast discussing the evolution of politics in Australia and potential for new political leadership from first responders and the veteran community. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team
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SPOTLIGHT: Naval infrastructure at the core of next-gen naval capability
In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Tony Rogers, Brian Weinstein and Scott Keane of Stantec to discuss the role and importance of naval infrastructure to modern navies. The group discuss a range of subjects including: The global pressures being felt by contemporary Western naval infrastructure and the growing demands placed on physical infrastructure to support increasingly capable navy surface and submarine fleets. The importance of not just building for the now but for the future, citing the examples of American naval infrastructure dating back to the earliest days of the republic to next-generation naval infrastructure currently under construction at Pearl Harbor. The lessons Australia can learn from America’s shipbuilding and naval renaissance when it comes to designing and developing our own naval infrastructure requirements. The importance of ensuring that the nation has a reliable pipeline of trained and qualified workers, not just to build the ships and submarines of the Royal Australian Navy, but also to maintain, sustain and upgrade them well into the future. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team
The Defence & Security Podcast Network hosts a unique series of podcasts, featuring discussions with key enablers from across the Australian defence and security industry.
The podcasts provide the perfect blend of business intelligence and insights from a range of guests, which include government officials, ADF personnel, industry stakeholders, and members of the academic community.
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- Key Enablers
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