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]
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:
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]
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]
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]
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]
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is an American family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole combat aircraft that is intended to perform both air superiority and strike missions. It is also able to provide electronic warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. Lockheed Martin is the prime F-35 contractor, with principal partners Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. The aircraft has three main variants: the conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A, the short take-off and vertical-landing (STOVL) F-35B, and the carrier-based (CV/CATOBAR) F-35C.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is the principal air and space force of Australia, a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Army. Constitutionally the Governor-General of Australia is the de jure Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force. The Royal Australian Air Force is commanded by the Chief of Air Force (CAF), who is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). The CAF is also directly responsible to the Minister for Defence, with the Department of Defence administering the ADF and the Air Force.
The Boeing F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet are supersonic twin-engine, carrier-capable, multirole fighter aircraft variants derived from the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet series. The F/A-18E single-seat and F/A-18F tandem-seat variants are larger and more advanced versions of the F/A-18C and D Hornet.
RAAF Base Williamtown is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) military air base located 8 nautical miles north of the coastal city of Newcastle in the local government area of Port Stephens, in New South Wales, Australia. The base serves as the headquarters to both the Air Combat Group and the Surveillance and Response Group of the RAAF. The military base shares its runway facilities with Newcastle Airport. The nearest towns are Raymond Terrace, located 8 km (5 mi) west of the base and Medowie, 6.8 km (4.2 mi), north of the base, which is home to many of the base's staff.
The AGM-158 JASSM is a low detection standoff air-launched cruise missile developed by Lockheed Martin for the United States Armed Forces. It is a large, stealthy long-range weapon with a 1,000-pound (450 kg) armor piercing warhead. It completed testing and entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 2009, and has entered foreign service in Australia, Finland, and Poland as of 2014. An extended range version of the missile, the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, entered service in 2014 as well as an anti-ship derivative, the AGM-158C LRASM, in 2018. By September 2016, Lockheed Martin had delivered 2,000 total JASSMs comprising both variants to the USAF.
No. 3 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter squadron, headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales. Established in 1916, it was one of four combat squadrons of the Australian Flying Corps during World War I, and operated on the Western Front in France before being disbanded in 1919. It was re-established as a permanent squadron of the RAAF in 1925, and during World War II operated in the Mediterranean Theatre. The Cold War years saw the squadron disbanded and re-raised twice. It was based at RAAF Butterworth during the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesia–Malaysia Konfrontasi. Equipped with McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet multi-role fighters from 1986, the squadron deployed to Diego Garcia in 2002 to provide local air defence, and the following year contributed aircraft and crews to the invasion of Iraq as part of Operation Falconer. In April 2016, it deployed to the Middle East as part of the military intervention against ISIL. The squadron began re-equipping with Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II multi-role fighters in 2018.
No. 77 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) squadron headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales. It is controlled by No. 81 Wing, part of Air Combat Group, and equipped with Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II multi-role stealth fighters.
No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit is a fighter training unit of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Located at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, the unit trains pilots to operate the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Pilots new to the F-35 enter No. 2 2OCU after first qualifying to fly fast jets at No. 79 Squadron and undertaking initial fighter combat instruction at No. 76 Squadron. Once qualified on the F-35, they are posted to one of No. 81 Wing's operational Hornet units, No. 3 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron or No. 77 Squadron.
The 5th Aviation Regiment is an Australian Army aviation unit. Formed in 1987 after the Army took over responsibility for operating helicopters from the Royal Australian Air Force, the regiment is based at RAAF Base Townsville, in Queensland. It currently forms part of the 16th (Aviation) Brigade and it operates the majority of the Army's transport helicopters. Throughout its existence, the regiment has been deployed overseas numerous times, supporting both peacekeeping and warlike operations. Since its formation elements of the regiment have made operational deployments to Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Iraq, Indonesia and Pakistan.
The Royal Australian Air Force's Air Combat Group (ACG) is the group which administers the RAAF's fighter and bomber aircraft. ACG was formed on 7 February 2002 by merging the RAAF's Tactical Fighter Group and Strike Reconnaissance Group in an attempt to improve the speed with which the RAAF can deploy its combat aircraft.
No. 81 Wing is responsible for operating the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II multi-role fighters of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Headquartered at RAAF Base Williamtown, New South Wales, the wing comprises three combat units, Nos. 3 and 77 Squadrons based at Williamtown and No. 75 Squadron at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, as well as an operational conversion unit at Williamtown. No. 81 Wing headquarters oversees squadron training in air-to-air and air-to-ground tactics, and support for the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy. Tasked with offensive and defensive counter-air operations, the Hornets have been deployed to Diego Garcia in 2001–02, when they provided local air defence, to Iraq in 2003, when they saw action flying fighter escort and close air support missions in concert with Coalition forces, and to the Middle East in 2015–16, when they undertook strike operations during the military intervention against ISIL. They have also been employed to patrol high-profile events in Australia, including the Commonwealth Games and visits by foreign dignitaries.
The Joint Strike Missile (JSM) is a multi-role, air-launched cruise missile under development by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and American company Raytheon Missiles & Defense. The JSM is derived from the Naval Strike Missile.
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II procurement is the planned selection and purchase of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) by various countries.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft between 1984 and 2021. The Australian Government purchased 75 A and B variants of the F/A-18 in 1981 to replace the RAAF's Dassault Mirage III fighters. The Hornets entered service with the RAAF between 1984 and 1990. Four Hornets were destroyed in flying accidents during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has operated forty-eight Lockheed C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The type entered Australian service in December 1958, when No. 36 Squadron accepted the first of twelve C-130As, replacing its venerable Douglas C-47 Dakotas. The acquisition made Australia the first operator of the Hercules after the United States. In 1966 the C-130As were joined by twelve C-130Es, which equipped No. 37 Squadron. The C-130As were replaced by twelve C-130Hs in 1978, and the C-130Es by twelve C-130J Super Hercules in 1999. No. 37 Squadron became the RAAF's sole Hercules operator in 2006, when No. 36 Squadron transferred its C-130Hs before converting to Boeing C-17 Globemaster III heavy transports. The C-130Hs were retired in November 2012, leaving the C-130J as the only model in Australian service. A further twenty C-130Js will be ordered to replace the current fleet.
The Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat, previously known as the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS), is a Loyal Wingman class stealth, multirole, uncrewed aerial vehicle in development by Boeing Australia for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). It is designed as a force multiplier aircraft capable of flying alongside crewed aircraft for support and performing autonomous missions independently using artificial intelligence.
Air Vice Marshal Steven Peter "Zed" Roberton, is a retired senior commander of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He joined the RAAF in 1989 and trained as a fighter pilot. He has deployed to Iraq, commanded No. 75 Squadron RAAF (2003–06) and No. 82 Wing RAAF (2010–11), and led Air Task Group 630 on operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (2014–15). He served as commander Air Combat Group RAAF from 2015 to 2017, Air Commander Australia from 2017 to 2019, and Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group from June 2019 to February 2022.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a family of stealth multirole fighters that first entered service with the United States in 2015. The aircraft has been ordered by program partner nations, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Norway, and Australia, and also through the Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program, including Japan, South Korea, and Israel. The units that operate or plan on operating the aircraft are listed below.
Ravn Aerospace, formerly known as AirUSA, is an American defense contractor based at Houston Spaceport in Houston, Texas. It offers adversary air, close air support, Joint Terminal Attack Controller, and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance training to the United States Department of Defense.
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