The Redwing suite of counter-IED devices, developed by DST Group, has won the inaugural Public Sector Innovation Award from the Institute of Public Sector Administration Australia (IPAA) during a small ceremony, held in Canberra, 27 July 2016.

The Redwing project was successful in the Innovative Solutions category that recognises new, improved and effective approaches to public administration.

“The Redwing program saves lives. It offers a suite of practical counter IED devices that operate in austere environments,’’ said Acting Secretary, Brendan Sargeant.

“The Redwing program is a fine example of innovation with Defence and industry working together to deliver an operational capability for the national good,” Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Alex Zelinksy said.

Under the program two robust, light-weight systems were developed – a handheld version called Greengum for use by dismounted troops and a more powerful system called Greygum for fitting to light vehicles. To date Australia has supplied 100,000 units of the Redwing equipment to the Afghanistan National Security Forces, with a further 50,000 systems on order, to meet their ongoing security needs.