Biography

Mr Peter Kerr is a Defence innovation specialist for the Australasian Space Innovation Institute following seven years in a similar role at the SmartSat Cooperative Research. This role is focused on ensuring research and innovation activities are aligned to Defence technology priorities and supports industry development across the space value chain.

Prior to this he spent 34 years working within the Defence Science and Technology Group and defence industry. His early career focussed of HF RADAR including being involved in the major Jindalee evaluation trial in 1986 and the first procurement phase for the Jindalee Operational RADAR Network (JORN).

His S&T career has focused on the fields of Radio Frequency (RF) sensors and RF communications, predominantly satellite communications. He was the Principal S&T Advisor to Defence for Military Satellite Communications from 2000 until 2010. He was the Defence S&T lead for the Satellite Systems CRC that built, launched and operated FEDSAT from 1998.

He has held corporate positions in international engagement, the Scientific Advisor to the Joint Capabilities Group and to the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). He also played a key role in reforming the Defence innovation system following the release of the 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement.

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