Digital video systems developer, Mediaware, has been awarded a $2.26 million contract under the Australian Defence Capability and Technology Demonstrator (CTD) program. The CTD program, managed by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, is aimed at encouraging the development of advanced technologies with the potential to significantly boost Australia’s future defence capability.

Under the terms of the contract, Mediaware will develop an advanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) video processing and georegistration system. Applications in the areas of object tracking and recognition, and georegistration of live video are expected to be delivered to the ADF at the completion of the project in 2008.

Mediaware CEO, Chris Newell, said that digital video and related metadata were critical elements of emerging network-centric-warfare systems. “As the ADF begins to acquire UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and other technologically advanced surveillance and reconnaissance assets, the need for advanced video processing and exploitation systems becomes paramount.  This project will enable Mediaware to provide the ADF with one of the most advanced systems available in the world, and will allow the ADF to exploit the video data captured by these platforms to the fullest extent.”

Mr Newell said Mediaware faced significant competition to win the CTD contract. “Defence’s selection of Mediaware is a recognition of our existing global leadership in ISR video processing and the strength of our proposal. We are pleased that the ADF supports the local Defence industry and SME’s through programs such as the CTD.”

Once completed, Mediaware says it will be able to sell its system to Defence and Intelligence organisations worldwide.