PERTH, AUSTRALIA
Exercise Western Dawn Judges
Exercise Western Dawn 2024 , a groundbreaking collaboration between the Australian Army’s 13th Brigade, Curtin University , and key industry players, has successfully wrapped up after weeks of innovation, problem-solving, and partnership-building.
Designed to address critical challenges in Protracted Sustainment, Persistent Situational Awareness, and Decision Advantage, the exercise brought together experts from Defence, Academia, and Industry to explore solutions that enhance Australia’s defence capabilities.
As part of Team 2, EXTAG (Custom Asset Management System) contributed its expertise in asset optimisation and sustainment, tackling some of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) most complex logistical challenges.
Driving Innovation in Defence Sustainment
With defence operations becoming increasingly complex, the sustainment of dispersed and remote teams is more critical than ever. Exercise Western Dawn provided a unique opportunity for EXTAG to demonstrate its capabilities in digital asset management, working alongside some of the brightest minds in the field.
“This exercise highlights how collaboration, technology, and real-world experience can come together to create practical and scalable solutions for defence readiness,”
said Gabe Alves, Founder of EXTAG.
“We’re excited to contribute our expertise in tracking, maintaining, and optimising critical assets, ensuring that sustainment challenges are addressed with innovative and effective solutions.”
A First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration
Three years in the making, Exercise Western Dawn 2024 marks the beginning of an annual innovation initiative aimed at long-term capability development for Defence. The event brought together 50+ participants across six teams, focusing on enhancing operational readiness in an evolving geo-strategic landscape.
The collaboration across multiple sectors creates a pathway for meaningful innovation. Brigadier Malcolm Wells reinforced the importance of these partnerships, stating:
“If we can pull together the partnerships with people who have been working on these solutions — leveraging the examples, technologies, and applications considered here today — the Australian Defence Force will be far better prepared for the challenging future ahead.”
Looking Ahead
EXTAG remains committed to advancing sustainment capabilities through data-driven asset management solutions that support Australian Defence’s evolving needs. Following this milestone’s first iteration, Exercise Western Dawn is set to expand its impact.
EXTAG looks forward to further collaboration with Defence and industry partners to enhance capability, efficiency, and resilience.
A huge congratulations to 13th Brigade, Curtin University, and all participating organisations for delivering a pivotal event in Australian Defence innovation.
PICTURED: Team 2, Lachlan Pickford (Babcock Australia & New Zealand) | Roy Mitchell (Onetide) | Gabe Alves (EXTAG) | Lauren D’Arcy (Royal Australian Air Force) | Mathew Tout (Royal Australian Navy) | Dean Caporn (Australian Army 13th Brigade) | Bryce Solomon GAICD (PrioriAnalytica) | Robert O’Neil (Aurora Labs) | Chris Lund (Murdoch University)
About EXTAG
EXTAG is a leading Custom Asset Management System, providing real-time tracking, maintenance, and compliance solutions for Defence, Mining, and Oil & Gas industries.
Proven in high-risk and highly regulated sectors since 2018, EXTAG’s flexible, scalable platform enables rapid deployment, delivering customised value and supporting data-driven decisions at tactical, operational, and strategic levels..
Media Contact
For media inquiries, please contact Lan Tran at Lan@extag.com.au or 0412 026 208
NOTES:
🇦🇺 Exercise Western Dawn is supported by a team of 𝟑𝟎 staff, including Exercise Control, Team Facilitators, and Organisational Liaisons.
Organisational Liaisons play a key role in connecting innovation teams with Defence Innovation stakeholders, ensuring solutions are relevant, realistic, and aligned with organisational needs. They also offer insights into their organisation’s capabilities and potential pathways for further development.
13th Brigade Innovation and Experimentation Group
2nd (Australian) Division Force Modernisation Branch
Army Minor Capability Acquisition Program
Royal Australian Navy Centre for Innovation West
Royal Australian Air Force Command Directorate of Preparedness Innovation
Special Operations Command
Joint Logistics Unit
Office of Defence Industry Support (ODIS)
Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) Accelerator
Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) Technology Group
Defence Science Centre, Defence West (WA Government)
🇦🇺 Exercise Western Dawn includes over 𝟓𝟎 participants across 𝟔 collaborative teams, this includes personnel from across all services of the Australian Defence Force and with people that cover all domains of contemporary military activities (inclusive of space and cyber).
The following organisations have provided participants to the collaborative teams ↴
Petritec
