ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre · 2026–2031

High-Speed
Propulsion,
Rocket &
Launch Systems

HiPR-LS Training Centre

Educating the innovators and future leaders who will drive the creation of commercially viable and nationally significant guided-weapons and space-launch industries for Australia. 

Chief Investigators

Universities

Partner organisations

$22m

TOTAL BUDGET

University partners

University of Sydney HOST

RMIT University

Monash University

University of Queensland

About HIPR-LS

Transforming Australia's
Propulsion Capability

The ARC Training Centre for High-Speed Propulsion, Rocket and Launch Systems (HiPR-LS, pronounced 'hyper-LS') is a nationally significant initiative to transform Australia's ability to develop, manufacture and maintain advanced propulsion, rocket and launch systems for the Defence and Space sectors.

A collaboration between four Australian universities and 24 partner organisations, including four industry primes, innovative Australian SMEs, and Australian and international government bodies, HiPR-LS represents a step-change in Australia's sovereign capability.

Our research and training activities span the Ground, Atmosphere and Space domains, crossing disciplinary boundaries between aerospace, materials, mechanical and mechatronics engineering, computational sciences, and legal and policy studies.

The combined cash and in-kind budget of approximately $22 million over five years will fund up to 19 PhD and postdoctoral research projects, a Grand Challenge program, and centre administration.

9

Research Training

Doctoral and postdoctoral program imparting advanced knowledge across disciplinary boundaries, developing new intellectual property.

9

Systems Integration

Equipping R&D experts with deep technical expertise and critical awareness to build and operate complex high-speed systems.

9

Industry Translation

Solving key research challenges in propulsion, airframes, trajectory and control — and translating new knowledge into industry practice.

9

Community of Practice

Creating ongoing innovation networks between defence and space companies and leading university researchers.

9

Industry-Ready Leaders

Developing leaders with deep technical competence and breadth in systems engineering, logistics, regulations and ethics.

Research Areas

Three Themes.
Six Enablers.

HiPR-LS delivers a step-change in capabilities for high-speed propulsion systems across ground, atmosphere and space domains — with integrated translation and community-building programs.

R1 — PROPULSION SYSTEMS

Propulsion Systems

Advanced combustion, digital twin capability for solid-rocket motors, rotating-detonation engines, electric propulsion for hypersonic intercept, and novel computational methods for high-speed reacting flows.

  • Solid Rocket
  • RDE
  • Hypersonic
  • Digital twin
  • CFD

R2 — AIR FRAMES & STRUCTURES

Airframes & Structures

High-temperature materials (Inconel, Cu-Al powder beds), aerothermodynamic prediction, fluid-structure interaction on high-speed surfaces, and composite motor case manufacturing scalability.

  • Materials
  • Aerodynamics
  • Composites
  • Heat Transfer
  • FSI

R3 —TRAJECTORY, GUIDANCE & CONTROL

Trajectory, Guidance & Control

NT space launch mission planning, neural networking for visual-based guided navigation, policy-technical integration for guided weapon mission planning, and data-driven system tailoring.

  • GNC
  • Neural Networks
  • Policy
  • Mission Planning

T1 - INTEGRATION & TRANSLATION

Grand Challenge

A signature cross-theme challenge driving collaborative innovation and real-world validation of HiPR-LS research outcomes.

T2 - INTEGRATION & TRANSLATION

Internships & Professional Development

Structured industry placements and professional development ensuring researchers are industry-ready upon graduation.

CROSS-CUTTING ENABLERS

 

  • E1 Fluid Dynamics, Combustion & Propellants
  • E2 Advanced Manufacturing & Materials
  • E3 Data, Simulation & AI
  • E4 Experimental Methods, Test & Evaluation
  • E5 Logistics, Supply Chain & Lifecycle
  • E6 Policy, Regulations & Compliance

JOIN US

Shape the Future of
Australian Defence & Space

PhD CANDIDATE

Doctoral Research Projects

Up to 19 PhD and postdoctoral positions across three research themes. Work alongside world-class researchers and directly with industry partners on nationally significant challenges.

 

  • 4 universities
  • Industry co-supervision
  • Generous Stipend

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER

Postdoctoral Fellowships

Postdoctoral positions embedded with partner organisations, translating cutting-edge research into sovereign capability for Australia's defence and space industries.

 

Centre Timeline

Jul 2025

ARC Grant Awarded

Sept 2026

Centre commenced

Oct 2026

Recruiting now!

Get in Touch

Connect with HiPR-LS

Whether you are a prospective PhD or postdoctoral candidate, an industry or government partner, or a stakeholder in Australia's defence and space future, we welcome your inquiry.

Director

Prof. Matthew Cleary

Centre Manager

Bridget de Pelleport

Host Institute

University of Sydney
NSW 2006, Australia

Funded By

Australian Research Council
Industrial Transformation Research Program