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Lockheed Martin Australia

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A35-001, the first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force, with Australian aviators and Lockheed Martin staff, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona; 17 May, 2017.

Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, with 1,200 local staff.[1][2] It is one of the largest suppliers of materiel, technology, services and training to the Australian Defence Force. These include guided weapons, naval aviation combat systems, combat aircraft, transport aircraft and space domain awareness.[3][1]

Governance and leadership

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The current CEO of Lockheed Martin Australia is Warren McDonald, reporting to the VP of International Business.[4][5] McDonald is a retired RAAF Air Marshal where he served as the inaugural Chief of Joint Capabilities. The company is headquartered in Canberra with major centres in Adelaide and Melbourne.[2] The business is registered as an Australian proprietary company with its own board.[6][7][8] Board members have included Kim Beazley, former CAF Geoff Brown and Amanda Vanstone.[9][10][11] The company has an executive structure which may include the following business units:

  • Australian Defence Strategic Capabilities Office. This includes the sovereign guided weapons capability.[12]
  • Operations, Rotary and Mission Systems. Includes Integrated Air and Missile Defense, radars and sensors; cyber; electronic warfare, helicopters and global training systems.[13][14]
  • Naval Combat & Missile Defence Systems. The Aegis Combat System is part of this unit.[15]

Land domain

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A HIMARS missile being fired at Exercise Talisman Sabre

In 2023 the Australian Government selected Lockheed Martin to supply the Australian Army with their High mobility artillery rocket system.[16] HIMARS is a missile launcher with six guided missiles that was deployed in Australia at Exercise Talisman Sabre in 2021.[17] Australia plans to be equipped with 20 systems, including launchers, missiles and training rockets. This is understood to increase the range of Australian army strike weapons from the current 30–50 km to up to 300 km, and potentially 499 km.[18][19] This was described by Australia's defence industry minister as “largest expansion of army strike capability in living memory.”[19] Further missile capability may be enhanced by local manufacturing in a joint venture with Thales Australia.[3]

In the past, Lockheed Martin has supplied the Australian Army with Javelin anti-tank missiles, used by the ADF since the 2003 Gulf War.[20] The company also supplies the army with Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Systems for its fleet of Apache attack helicopters.[21]

Sea domain

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A Lockheed Martin built Mark 48 Advanced Capability torpedo

The company also supplies air capabilities to the country's navy, particularly its submarine hunter, the MH-60R Seahawk.[22] Between 2013 and 2016, the Royal Australian Navy sourced 24 of the aircraft, with a further 12 ordered in 2022. These are maintained by the subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft Australia in Nowra, New South Wales.[23]

The Aegis Combat System is also provided by Lockheed Martin Australia for the RAN's Hobart-class destroyers.[24]

The combat capabilities of Australia's future nuclear powered attack class submarines will be supported by the company. This includes the submarine-launched Mark 48 heavyweight torpedo.[25] In turn, Lockheed Martin Australia looks to local companies to contract to them. This has included Attack Class Submarine Combat System R&D.[1]

Air domain

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An RAAF Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 Hercules at Point Cook

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules has been continuously produced by the American parent company since 1954, and there have been C-130s in Australian service since 1958.[26] It's also considered by the air force as the future for medium load, tactical transport.[27] Currently the RAAF has 12 of the aircraft, expected to be extended to 24, based at RAAF Base Richmond.[28][29] It is reported that the RAAF may purchase six KC-130J Air Refuelling Tankers, providing a hose-and-drogue refuelling capability to the RAAF's F/A-18s and Growler EA-18G electronic attack aircraft.[30]

The RAAF also operates two Lockheed AP-3C Orion electronic signals intelligence aircraft out of RAAF Base Edinburgh, with a view to moving to the MC-55A Peregrine.[31]

Australia's selection of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II as its joint strike fighter was the country's largest defence acquisition to date.[9]

The first F-35s were delivered into Australian service in 2018, with the full complement of 72 expected by 2024.[32][33] Their first appearance at an international combat exercise in Australia was at Exercise Pitch Black in 2022.[34] As of June 2022, there were 50 of the fighter aircraft in service.[35] Australia's F-35s are now in service across four RAAF aircraft units:

Lockheed Martin Australia also provides a training system for the RAAF pilots. This includes Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft, along with flight simulators, cockpit trainers and system sustainment.[39][6]

Joint and space domain

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Test fire of a joint domain PAC-3 Erint Missile, 10 December 2012

The company identifies space as the next defence domain for expansion, working with Australian tech contractors such as Av-Comm to develop satellite ground stations.[40] The University of New South Wales signed a two year MOU with the company to jointly produce education programs along with research and development in 2022.[41] Lockheed Martin Australia has invested in a National Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Ecosystem in Australia, a $74 million facility, thought to be based in Williamtown, NSW.[42] Joint threat detection capabilities are being developed through its STELaRLaB project in Melbourne, the integrated system is expected to detect and neutralise improvised threats.[43][2] Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Australian Government requested bids for joint domain missile defence and it is reported that the defensive missiles, possibly commanded from Williamtown, are likely to be the Lockheed Martin PAC-3 system.[44][45]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Staff, Naval News (2021-09-14). "Australian Industry Contracts Awarded for Future Submarine Program". Naval News. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  2. ^ a b c Staff, APDR (2022-10-16). "Deputy Premier South Australia opens Lockheed Martin Australia Adelaide office". APDR. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  3. ^ a b Saballa, Joe (2022-10-07). "Lockheed, Thales to Build Missile Production Facility in Australia". The Defense Post. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  4. ^ Staff, APDR (2023-01-15). "Lockheed Martin partners with Australian industry to expand F-35 regional sustainment hub". APDR. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  5. ^ "Warren McDonald appointed chief executive of Lockheed Martin ANZ - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  6. ^ a b "Peter Ashworth joins LMA - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  7. ^ Reporter; Reporter (2022-10-13). "Lockheed Martin Australia opens Adelaide office". www.defenceconnect.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  8. ^ Coade, Melissa (2022-07-25). "Defence gong for local makers of enhanced shipbuilding steel". The Mandarin. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  9. ^ a b "Kim Beazley joins Lockheed Martin to see defence materiel sector from the inside". Australian Financial Review. 2016-06-08. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  10. ^ "Former CAF Geoff Brown joins Lockheed Martin Australia board". Australian Aviation. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  11. ^ "Lockheed Martin facing legal action over underpayment claims". Australian Financial Review. 2019-06-02. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  12. ^ Staff, APDR (2022-06-04). "Lockheed Martin Australia appoints Ken Kota to lead GWEO program". APDR. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  13. ^ Staff, APDR (2022-09-05). "Lockheed Martin Australia names business development director for rotary and missions systems". APDR. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  14. ^ "Peter Ashworth joins LMA - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  15. ^ Media, OpenSystems. "Australian navy's first Aegis-equipped Hobart-class destroyer concludes sea trial - Military Embedded Systems". militaryembedded.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  16. ^ Staff, APDR (2023-01-15). "Lockheed Martin partners with Australian industry to expand F-35 regional sustainment hub". APDR. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  17. ^ "Talisman Sabre Firepower Demonstration". Australian Security Magazine. 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  18. ^ "Army selects HIMARS - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  19. ^ a b "Australian defence force to spend $1bn acquiring naval strike missiles and army rocket systems". the Guardian. 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  20. ^ "Lockheed Martin sees ADF need for Javelin - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  21. ^ "Lockheed Martin to supply Apache target and NV systems - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  22. ^ "Lockheed Martin Australia - Rotary Wing Support & Sustainment". gateway.icn.org.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  23. ^ G, Julianne (2022-09-21). "Lockheed Martin to manufacture 12 more MH-60R helicopters for Australian Navy". Australian Manufacturing. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  24. ^ "Lockheed Martin wins Hobart Aegis upgrade contract - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  25. ^ "Lockheed Unit Awarded $302M Torpedo Support Contract for US, Australian Navies". GovCon Wire. 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  26. ^ "Lockheed Martin C130 Hercules Tactical Transport Aircraft | Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  27. ^ "Air Force doubles down on C-130J selection - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  28. ^ "RAAF looks set for 24 new Hercules, US reveals". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  29. ^ ADBR (2022-11-01). "Defence to replace RAAF C-130Js with more C-130Js". ADBR. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  30. ^ "Australia to replace Super Hercules fleet with new C-130Js". Janes.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  31. ^ "RUAG Australia marks decades of AP-3C Orion support - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  32. ^ a b c Andrew McLaughlin (2021-12-09). "First RAAF F-35s to be based at Tindal arrive". ADBR. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  33. ^ "Flashes of Lightning - First F-35s based in Australia - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  34. ^ "F-35 makes Pitch Black debut - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  35. ^ "Two more F-35s take RAAF fleet to 50". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  36. ^ Ng, Jr (2021-01-05). "Australia's first F-35A squadron achieves IOC". Asian Military Review. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  37. ^ "AIRPOWER SUSTAINMENT - Part 1". ADBR. 2022-01-19. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  38. ^ "RAAF Base Tindal accepts first F-35s". Australian Aviation. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  39. ^ Chakraborty, Aninda (2022-02-08). "Lockheed Martin Australia delivers AIR5428 Pilot Training System". Airforce Technology. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  40. ^ Staff, APDR (2021-11-02). "Lockheed Martin Australia adds Av-Comm to growing JP9102 team". APDR. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  41. ^ Staff, APDR (2022-11-15). "Lockheed Martin Australia signs MOU with UNSW Canberra Space". APDR. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  42. ^ "Lockheed Martin to create $74m Air Defence Centre - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 2023-01-06.
  43. ^ Jasmina (2021-04-01). "Lockheed Martin Australia wins $9m Defence contract". Australian Manufacturing. Retrieved 2023-01-05.
  44. ^ "Williamtown likely home to missile defence centre". Newcastle Herald. 2022-10-19. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  45. ^ Bergmann, Kym (28 February 2023). "Ukraine shows the importance of an integrated air and missile defence system". The Australian. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
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