Defence to build $68m HPC centre in SA

The Department of Defence will soon select a head contractor for a $68 million project to build a high performance computing centre in South Australia.

The new centre, to be constructed at the Defence Science and Technology site in Edinburgh, is expected to commence construction by mid-year. Construction is anticipated to be complete in late 2020.

The head contractor will be responsible for procuring and managing subcontractors to complete the construction.

In addition, the contractor will be tasked with developing a local industry capability plan aimed at maximising the opportunities for local businesses to be involved in the project, both through subcontracting work and through manufacturing, supply and equipment transportation deals.

Assistant Minister for Defence David Fawcett said the new centre will help Defence Science and Technology meet its remit of providing the department and national security agencies with scientific advice and innovative technologies aimed at meeting national defence and security challenges.

“High performance computing, or supercomputing, plays a vital role in the design, development and analysis of modern weapon systems and national security systems, including our future ships and other major defence platforms,” he said.

Once complete, the new supercomputing capability is intended to support Defence’s major technology acquisitions through their life cycle.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/billionphotos.com

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