The Army is a leader in innovation. With the difficult tasks of responding to international emergencies, fighting abroad and peacekeeping around the world, the Army is always employing new ways to advance its capabilities.

Australia's extremely unique landscape offers many challenges to the vehicles expected to traverse it. Considerations for extreme heat, dirt and dust are just some of the things taken into account when operating in Australia's outback. Some vehicles, like the new M1A1 Abrams Tank, are a desert proven overseas design. While others, like the Bushmaster IMV, were planned and built here in Australia for our specific conditions.

Army aviation is at the cutting edge of modern technology. Take the new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) Tiger – a fast, manoeuvrable and deadly aircraft, made almost entirely from carbon-fibre and Kevlar, it is the most advanced Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter in the world. Our new MRH-90 medium-lift transport is a leader in its field. Incorporating seating for up to 20 troops with crash protection for all, it will also use the TopOwl Head Mounted Sight Display employed by the ARH Tiger to give the pilot unprecedented night-flying ability.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

The Army is incorporating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) into its fleet of equipment to dramatically increase its reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities. One such vehicle is the ScanEagle UAV. Measuring just 1.2m long and 3m wide, it is launched off a slingshot device and can provide non-stop optical and infra-red surveillance for over 15 hours, with the capability to track stationary and moving objects. It also eliminates the need for a runway, with landing being replaced by a “Skyhook”, a 15m pole with a hanging rope attached, which ScanEagle catches to pull itself up. This allows it to be used in very rough terrain or even off ships.

Over the coming months, the Technology section of Defencejobs will be expanded to cover detailed insights into the workings of the ADF's most advanced equipment and roles. With animation, photography and interviews with the people who work the tools, you will get a great insight into what it's really like to be a part of the ADF.

Being a soldier in the Army means you'll be handling some of the world's most advanced weaponry and specialised tools. With the innovative F88 Austeyr rifle, and the new Off-Axis Viewing Device (OAVD), protecting soldiers from exposing themselves to enemy fire, the Army is staying one step ahead.

Some of the Army's newest equipment comes fitted with incredible information technology. The ARH Tiger for example has an array of different sensors and cameras that feed into the pilot's helmet to be projected into his visor. This, plus the aircraft's main gun, is all directed to point to wherever the pilot is looking.