In this episode, Grant McHerron catches up with Christian Gutierrez, Vice President of Hivemind Engineering at Shield AI, while they were both at Avalon, to discuss the company's presence at the show.

We start with a quick review of Christian's career plus the history and overview of Shield AI, before we talk about their Hivemind modular framework for autonomous systems and its use on drones and trials on an F-16. Christian talks about their successes in Ukraine with one of their V-BAT ISR drones and its ViDAR automated target recognition system. We also look at human on the loop systems, accessing suitable data for training AI systems, and engaging with the US DoD on autonomous systems.

The episode wraps up with an overview of Shield AI's engagement with global partners, their purchase in 2024 of Sentient Vision Systems, and their interest in engaging with Australian defence industry.

LINKS:

Shield AI

shield.ai

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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

Producer: Steve Visscher

Editor: Chris Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron and Ewen Levick review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We start off with the big topic of the USA bombing Iran with the deception of B-2s going West, Israel's air superiority reducing the assets required, and the first combat use of the GBU-57 Massive Ordinance Penetrators. While this will have caused havoc for Iran's centrifuges we note that wars are very easy to start but very hard to stop and discuss bombing from the air working best in support of a ground campaign.

This leads to a discussion on the USAF B-2s achieving the remote, deep strike mission that the AUKUS submarines are supposed to achieve. Would a squadron of B-21s be cheaper and more effective or are there other ways to meet our goals that are more inline with Australia's economic capabilities? After all, Ukraine is showing that it's possible to defend your shores from a more powerful fleet with inexpensive drones so perhaps Australia should reassess what works best for our budget?

That said, a recent report in War On The Rocks indicates that FPV drones are only succeeding 20-30% of the time and that well placed mortar rounds are more cost effective. Once again, there is no silver bullet and FPV drones become yet another weapon in the armory of capabilities that need to be used together to achieve results.

We wrap with a quick discussion about CIVMEC acquiring Luerssen Australia, the upcoming South Australian Defence Summit in July and the Western Australia Defence Forum in August, both of which ADM will be attending. Come and say Hi if you see us there.

Links:

Why FPV drones kind of suck

warontherocks.com/2025/06/i-fought-in-ukraine-and-heres-why-fpv-drones-kind-of-suck

CIVMEC to acquire Luerssen Australia

www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/civmec-to-acquire-luerssen-australia

ADM South Australian Defence Summit

admevents.com.au/adm-south-australian-defence-summit

Western Australia Defence Summit

admevents.com.au/western-australia-defence-forum

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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

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - ©...

In this episode, we include the audio from ADM's inaugural Women in Defence Network breakfast in Melbourne held on 3rd June 2025. This was the first in a national series spotlighting leadership, innovation, and inclusion in the defence sector.

Kylie Leonard, founder of the Network, opened the morning and welcomed attendees to the new national initiative. She then introduces Gwen Cohen, Director of Public Sector and Alliances at Dassault Systèmes who provided the keynote presentation for the event.

Gwen explores the current and emerging role of artificial intelligence in defence, addressing its application across operations, logistics, training, and decision-making. Delegates also had the opportunity to engage with Dassault Systèmes’ digital engineering technologies and see how they are being used in real-world defence contexts.

The next ADM Women in Defence Network event will be in Sydney on the 24th July.

LINKS:

ADM Women in Defence Network

ADMwomenindefencenetwork.com.au

Dassault Systemes breakfast slide packs

admwomenindefencenetwork.com.au/event/adm-women-in-defence-and-national-security-breakfast-hosted-by-dassault-systemes

Video of the Breakfast Event

www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6qhOQvXrd8

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

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

Producer: Steve Visscher

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Geoff Camp, JLL's Defence Lead for Australia, about the changing shape of Defence and industry in estate operations.

We get an overview of JLL’s role as a real estate firm and beyond, particularly their involvement with the ADF, as well as the career that led Geoff to his current role and his history in Defence. The discussion gives us an insight into how base construction and management has developed in the last decade, with changes in perspectives in accommodation and amenities for staff, and the further considerations made for their work and personal lives. We also review newly applied technologies and their benefits to management, the impact that the removal and reclassification of workstations and locations had on JLL, and the opportunities granted by the increased focus on bases in the NT and far north QLD.

We wrap up by evaluating how recent increased tensions in the IndoPac region, changes in the US position, and instability in sectors of the world economy are impacting the Defence estate.

LINKS:

JLL's Defence Work

https://www.jll.com/en-au/industries/defence/?utm_source=&utm_medium=paidsocial&utm_campaign=ap-au-ind-gov-defence2025-0625&utm_content=podcast

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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

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this News Review episode, Grant McHerron, Ewen Levick and Kirra Davey review and discuss some of the recent news of interest that's occurred recently in the world of Defence.

We start with Grant's recent trip to Germany as a guest of TKMS where he and three journalists from Australia toured ship yards, a steel fabrication plant and a German Navy frigate. Much was learned despite the rather extreme NDAs that the ADF is placing on companies bidding for SEA 3000. We then discuss the Mogami vs MEKO options, TKMS' history of off-shore building and partnerships, the Japanese relationship vs sovereign capability, and are some relationships more one-way than others.

This leads to the need for Australian defence industry to export to other countries as the ADF doesn't buy enough quantity to justify the investment in sovereign capability, citing examples from Hanwha and Thales who are doing just that.

We then look at the AUKUS review being conducted by the Trump administration, assessing Defence spend as a percentage of GDP vs actual capability being purchased, the Defence budget being dominated by maritime platforms, Ukraine's ability to deep-strike into enemy territory via drones as opposed to very expensive and long lead time exquisite platforms. The discussion also notes our inability to defend against such a drone strike on our cities and bases, and acknowledgement of the lack of political appetite for more defence spending.

We wrap with Kirra's discussion of touring the USS Blue Ridge and speaking with Brig. Gen. Mastalir from the US Space Force. We also look at ADM's Women in Defence Network and the events held recently and coming up.

Links:

ATLA: ‘Mogami-class frigate sale will deepen Australia-Japan defence ties’

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/atla-mogami-class-frigate-sale-will-deepen-australia-japan-defence-ties

Trump launches AUKUS review

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/trump-launches-aukus-review

ASPI says defence spending is not enough

https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/aspi-says-defence-spending-is-not-enough

ADM Women in Defence Network

admwomenindefencenetwork.com.au

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

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...

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Maureen Taylor, the National Manager for Corporate Health at Healthcare Australia (HCA) and Dr Michael Bonning, Defence Medical Advisor at HCA, The topic is regarding Defence’s transition to a patient-centric care approach rather than one that is cost control based, which is part of Defence’s improvements for the health and wellbeing of ADF members.

We begin our discussion by getting a background of Maureen and Michael’s extensive careers, and the role that HCA operates as Australia’s largest health services delivery company. We get an insight into the impact that the Royal Commission's report had and the need to reshape mental health support, to act proactively, remove stigma, and improve accessibility. The discussion reviews the need to shift towards a patient-centric care with considerations of the difficulties of doing this in the ADF context, and the differences that patients face in their lives compared to a typical private workforce. We also explore the HCA’s expansive national network, and the need to support rural and regional areas, with the ability to scale to meet demands in disaster scenarios.

We wrap up by discussing how HCA manages international and maritime deployments, and how it integrates with ADF and their clients.

LINKS:

Healthcare Australia

healthcareaustralia.com.au

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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

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Mike Kerrigan, Head of Defence, Australia, with Palantir Technologies, about assessing Force Readiness with Palantir's Vantage system.

We start our discussion by getting a brief history of Palantir’s formation, Mark’s background in the Army and his current role with Palantir. Mike gives us an overview of force readiness and its role in ensuring a military has members trained and equipped to deploy at notice. We get an insight into how Vantage utilises AI to assist in making informed decisions by assessing readiness across logistics, personnel, financial, equipment and risk information gathered from databases and unstructured data sources. He also discusses options for its installation, and how it scales for all layers of organisational structure. The discussion also explores how Vantage has integrated with Defence IT with considerations for segmented classified environments.

We wrap up with a use case of how Vantage can be used to track the real time progress of government directives with live data and how it reduces the manual effort required to assemble information from diverse sources.

LINKS:

Palantir

www.palantir.com

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

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

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

In this episode, Grant McHerron talks with Dean Rosenfeld, CEO of Nova Systems, and Tim Grabert, Nova's Test & Evaluation Capability Lead, about Test & Evaluation (T&E) with the Australian Defence Force.

We start with an overview on the how the industry is aligning with recent strategies, priorities and reviews. We then discuss the need for a sustainable T&E workforce, increased graduate recruitment and T&E education for existing employees. We also cover advancements in developing synthetic environments, including how physical T&E is being used to validate models and simulations, evaluate how AI and machine learning can assist in T&E whilst ensuring its assurance frameworks, and get an insight into how T&E is balanced with Force Readiness.

We wrap up with a discussion about what’s involved with conducting T&E with systems in dedicated ranges, the need for sovereign capability, and ensuring testing is secured from monitoring by foreign entities.

LINKS:

Nova Systems

www.novasystems.com/au

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

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

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025