This theme explores how AUKUS "Advanced Technology" (Pillar 2) can address the challenges of maintaining a contemporary submarine capability during a period of significant geostrategic change. It specifically examines the transition to a multi-class fleet, including the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines.

CALL FOR PAPERS

The SIA invites papers from individuals and organisations from both Australia and Internationally across government, academia, research, and industry. We seek papers that promote informed debate on how science and engineering will shape Australia’s future submarine capability.

SubSTEC8 focuses on the collaboration required as Australia transitions from the Collins class to a multiclass, nuclear-powered, conventionally armed force. This transition necessitates:

Developing specialized scientific, technological, regulatory, industrial and uniformed workforces,.
Building supporting infrastructure to internationally approved safety and security standards,
Identification and qualification of a range of suppliers and service providers covering the complete supply chain,
Agreement with source countries for access to intellectual property, sub-assemblies, components, nuclear fuel and raw materials needed for the full life cycle of a nuclear-powered submarine.

While the theme emphasises AUKUS Pillar 2, we welcome any papers regarding advances in submarine science and technology that fall outside the specific AUKUS Pillar 2 streams.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS

Submarine Enterprise: Government, industry, research and academic leaders engaged in design, construction, support and operation.
Undersea Warfare: Organisations involved in undersea warfare technologies, including future conventional weapons systems and uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) capable of being employed by Australia
Maritime Materials: Organisations involved in submarine construction and sustainment and shipbuilding and repair.
Nuclear Lifecycle: Organisations involved in nuclear fuel storage, transport, and waste management.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

The SIA seeks original, unpublished papers addressing the technical opportunities and challenges of securing and projecting power from the undersea domain. Topics may include Collins sustainment, the transition to nuclear power (SSN-AUKUS), or autonomous undersea technologies.

Note: All papers must be unclassified and approved for public release in the Conference Proceedings.

Abstracts: Submit a summary of up to 250 words in .docx format to the Jot-Form link following the timeline below.
Full Papers: Selected authors will be invited to submit a full paper for peer review using the SIA template.
Technical papers will be published in the Conference Proceedings and it is mandatory that the conference template is used.
Presentation: Authors will deliver an oral presentation (supported by PowerPoint presentation if desired) or a poster presentation. PowerPoint presentations must be in MS PowerPoint 16:9 format (widescreen)
Registration Waiver: The registration fee for the main conference (excluding social events) will be waived for one presenter per paper. The presenters must attend in person.

TIMELINE FOR TECHNICAL PAPERS

Following is the required timeline for submission of abstracts, papers and presentations:

Activity	Responsible	Duration	Deadline 2026
Issue Call for Papers	SIA		06 February
Abstracts submitted	Author	9 weeks	10 April
Invitation for papers for selected abstracts	SIA	3 weeks	01 May
Draft papers submitted in template format	Author	6 weeks	12 June
Review completed and comments to authors	SIA	4 weeks	10 July
Primary author registered for conference	Author		30 June
Final “Proceedings-ready” papers submitted	Author	4 weeks	07 Aug
Presentation slides submitted	Author		11 Sep

POTENTIAL STREAMS AND EXAMPLES OF TOPICS

The following lists the potential conference streams and example topics and is neither exhaustive nor exclusive. The SIA will accept credible papers aligned with the theme and aims of the conference and develop a final program based upon the accepted papers and availability of invited speakers.

Stream 1: Multi Technology Topics

Sustaining and Enhancing Collins
- COLLINS Class Life of Type Extension (LOTE)
- Evolving and new technology that could be introduced to enhance Collins capability, operations, and sustainment
Challenges to operating and integrating multiple types and classes of submarine concurrently with other Australian and multi-national forces – workforce, infrastructure, supply chain, training etc
Building the required architecture to support the Nuclear Fuel Cycle in Australia - Science, Technology and Engineering opportunities and challenges

Stream 2: Innovation and Information Sharing

Accelerating innovation, learning and integration of commercial technology
Expanding, accelerating and protecting the sharing of sensitive information

Stream 3: Undersea Capabilities

Role of uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUV) in ISR, tactical engagement and other tasks
Extra-large UUV (XLUUV) development and concept of operations
Battery technology development for safety-critical applications
Submarine Escape and Rescue

Stream 4: Quantum Science