Event Proceedings

Stay up-to-date - presentation packs, speeches and other materials from our previous events are available for download.

Conference reports: Dr Robbin Laird, Williams Foundation Fellow, and contributor for Second Line of Defense, produces a conference report highlighting the innovation, challenges and policy implications presented. He also interviews a number of senior Defence personnel to produce a series of smaller topical articles.

Jan 7

Conference Final Report: The Requirements of a Sovereign Defence Space Capability - Dr Robbin Laird

Dr Robbin Laird, Conference: The Requirements of a Sovereign Defence Space Capability 1 December 2021: A Williams Foundation Special...

Jan 2

The ADF and the Australian Space Enterprise

Dr Robbin Laird 2 January 2022 At the December 1, 2021, Williams Foundation seminar on shaping a way ahead for the Australian space...

Jan 2

Shaping an Australian Space Industrial Eco-System for Defence and Security

Dr Robbin Laird 2 January 2022 Sovereign Australian space requires an Australian industrial space eco-system to be shaped and enhanced....

Dec 31, 2021

Sovereignty and the Australian Space Effort

Dr Robbin Laird 31 December 2021 Sovereignty is a tricky term, notably when it comes to global economies and to allied based national...

Dec 30, 2021

A Look Back at the Australian Space Effort

Dr Robbin Laird 30 December 2021 At the recent Williams Foundation seminar focused on Australian space held on December 1, 2021, the...

Dec 1, 2021

Conference: The Requirements of a Sovereign Defence Space Capability - Program and Presentations

The Requirements of a Sovereign Defence Space Capability National Gallery of Australia 1 December 2021 Final Report Dr Robbin Laird...

Jun 9, 2021

Next Generation Autonomous Systems: Final Report - Dr Robbin Laird

Dr Robbin Laird, Next Generation Autonomous Systems: A Williams Foundation Special Report, 9 June 2021 In this report, the key themes...

Jun 7, 2021

Defence Industry and Working with Defence in Shaping a Way Ahead for Autonomous Systems

Dr Robbin Laird, Defence Industry and Working with Defence in Shaping a Way Ahead for Autonomous Systems, 8 June 2021 Link to the article...

Jun 5, 2021

From Frankenstein to Astro Boy: Humans, Automation, and Warfare

In April this year Group Captain Jo Brick (an esteemed editor at The Central Blue) gave a compelling presentation to the Williams...

Jun 4, 2021

The Australian Army, Navy and Air Force Shape a Way Ahead for the Inclusion of Autonomous Systems

Dr Robbin Laird, The Australian Army, Navy and Air Force Shape a Way Ahead for the Inclusion of Autonomous Systems, 5 June 2021 Link to...

Jun 3, 2021

Perspectives on the Introduction of Autonomous Systems into Combat

Dr Robbin Laird, Perspectives on the Introduction of Autonomous Systems into Combat, 4 June 2021 Link to article Perspectives on the...

May 31, 2021

Shaping the Way Ahead for Robotic and Autonomous Systems and ADF Force Development

Dr Robbin Laird, Shaping the Way Ahead for Robotic and Autonomous Systems and ADF Force Development, 1 June 2021 Link to article Shaping...

May 28, 2021

The Integrated Distributed Maritime Force: The Impact of Maritime Autonomous Systems

Dr Robbin Laird, The Integrated Distributed Maritime Force: The Impact of Maritime Autonomous Systems, 29 May 2021 Link to article The...

May 25, 2021

The Quest for Next Generation Autonomous Systems: Impact on Reshaping Australian Defence Forces

Dr Robbin Laird The Quest for Next Generation Autonomous Systems: Impact on Reshaping Australian Defence Forces, Defense.info 25 May 2021...

Apr 12, 2021

Conference: Next Generation Autonomous Systems - Program and Presentations

Next Generation Autonomous Systems National Gallery of Australia 8 April 2021 Final Report Dr Robbin Laird Coming soon Synopsis and...

Oct 30, 2019

Conference: The Requirements of Fifth Generation Manoeuvre - Final Report

...major presentations and discussions at the Williams Foundation seminar on the requirements for fifth generation manoeuvre

Oct 23, 2019

Conference: The Requirements of Fifth Generation Manoeuvre - Program and Presentations

Examine the differences and potential gaps in how the Australian Defence Force must equip and organise for multi-domain operations

Aug 6, 2019

Lunch: Coalition Warfighting and Pacific AOR Interoperability - LTG Michael Oates (Retd)

Errol McCormack Members Lunch - Coalition Warfighting and Pacific AOR Interoperability

Apr 10, 2019

Conference: Hi-Intensity Operations and Sustaining Self Reliance - Final Report

The latest Williams Seminar held in Canberra on April 11, 2019 focused on the strategic shift for Australia within the context of the evolvi

Apr 10, 2019

Conference: Hi-Intensity Operations and Sustaining Self Reliance - Program and Presentations

The seminar will address the evolving Australian approach to building new capabilities and systems with an expanded role for Australian indu

Sep 6, 2018

Conference: The Imperative for an Independent Deterrent: A Joint Strike Seminar - Final Report

Since 2014, the Williams Foundation has held a series of seminars, which have looked at the nature of military transformation enabled by new

Aug 22, 2018

Conference: The Imperative for an Independent Deterrent: A Joint Strike Seminar

This seminar seeks to build a common understanding of the need for an independent joint strike capability to provide Australia with a powerf

Apr 30, 2018

Conference: The Requirements of High Intensity Warfare - Final Report

the Foundation is focusing on the new strategic context within which this force will operate and the kinds of further changes necessary for

Mar 21, 2018

Conference: The Requirements of High Intensity Warfare

As the world rapidly moves to a more dangerous, multi-polar place; after two decades of Counter Insurgency, Counter Terrorism conflict - Wha

Sep 14, 2017

Conference: A New Approach, and Attitude, to Electronic Warfare In Australia - Final Report

In this report, the major presentations at the Williams Foundation seminar on the evolution of electronic warfare, notably from the standpoi

Aug 22, 2017

Conference: A New Approach, and Attitude, to Electronic Warfare In Australia

This Seminar seeks to build a common understanding of how the EA-18G Growler, in particular, will impact the Australian Defence Force at the

Apr 26, 2017

Conference: Air / Sea / Land: Integrated Force 2030 - Final Report

On April 11, 2017, the Williams Foundation held its latest seminar on shaping a way ahead in the shaping of a 21st century combat force. Thi

Apr 10, 2017

Conference: Air / Sea / Land: Integrated Force 2030

The Integrated Force Seminar. This one-day seminar explores how the three Services can further integrate under the Joint capability guidanc

Apr 16, 2015

Symposium: Integrating Innovative Airpower: Facing 21st Century Strategic Challenges

A special report from the Integrating Innovative Airpower Symposium in Copenhagen on 17 April 2015 has been prepared by Dr Robbin Laird from

May 28, 2014

Dinner: AIRMSHL Geoff Brown AO Chief of Air Force

In March this year I spoke at the Williams Foundation Seminar on combat operations in 2025 and beyond, and I actually said then that most of

Apr 29, 2014

Conference: Air Combat Operations 2025 and Beyond - Executive Summary Report

The seminar explored the challenges and opportunities afforded by the introduction of 5th generation air combat capabilities.

Apr 29, 2014

Conference: Air Combat Operations 2025 and Beyond - Laird Special Report

Australia is building out a modest but effective 21st century Air Force built around the best available 21st century platforms and technolog