Defence selects Lockheed Martin Australia for AIR6500 Ph.1

Canberra-based Lockheed Martin Australia has been named winner of the first stage Defence’s $765 million Project AIR6500 Ph.1. This is expected to be a multi-billion dollar, multi-phase program.

Defence says it is also accelerating the ADF’s Medium-Range Ground-Based Air Defence capability under Project Air 6502 Ph.1, which will form part of a layered, integrated air missile defence capability. Options are currently being developed with several companies for Government consideration, Defence says.

As recommended by the Defence Strategic Review (DSR), an enhanced, all-domain integrated air and missile defence capability is critical in the face of Australia’s evolving strategic circumstances. Lockheed Martin Australia’s bid to become strategic partner for AIR6500, the Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) was preferred over Northrop Grumman Australia’s.

JABMS will form the architecture at the core of the ADF’s future Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capability. This first-of-its-kind system will provide greater situational awareness and defence against increasingly advanced air and missile threats, as well as give the ADF increased levels of interoperability with the United States and allied partners.

“Australia’s AIR6500-1 program is truly transformational,” said Stephanie C. Hill, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems. “It will set the blueprint for future military Joint All-Domain Operations across the globe. This critical capability will allow the ADF to leverage information from across all domains at greater speeds, with better accuracy and at a greater scale than it is capable of today.”

“The new Joint Air Battle Management System, and the Medium-Range Ground-Based Air Defence System will contribute effective capabilities as part of an integrated ADF,” said Minister for Defence Richard Marles. “These capabilities are essential in our pursuit of preserving and protecting our sovereignty and security, while also promoting stability in our region.”

Lockheed Martin Australia’s approach will ensure Australian Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have the box seat in global supply chains, said Warren McDonald, CEO of Lockheed Martin Australia. “The Integrated Air and Missile Defence sovereign technologies being created in Australia today will be exported to the world in the future – unlocking a potential export market for IAMD related systems worth $83 billion for Australian companies.

The company has invested more than $100 million in its AIR6500 system solution which has been built from the ground up in Australia by Australians to safeguard Australia’s national security, the company says. To-date, Lockheed Martin Australia has validated more than 130 Australian small to medium enterprises as potential partners and awarded contracts to more than 10 leading-edge companies including Qinetiq Australia, Leidos Australia, Consunet, Consilium, C4I, Silentium, Penten, Lucid Consulting Engineering and Daronmont Systems, and engaged with prime contractors Raytheon and Boeing, during the risk reduction phase to develop an agile, integrated AIR6500 solution.

The company also committed $74 million last year to establish the nation’s future IAMD ecosystem to accelerate collaboration between academia, industry, Defence, and allied partners on IAMD capabilities. The IAMD ecosystem is expected to create more than 400 direct and 1,000 indirect local jobs.

“We recognise a team approach is vital to the success of AIR6500-1 in building a sovereign Australian IAMD capability,” added McDonald, “therefore moving forward on program execution the majority of the program workshare will be allocated across Australian industry.”

One of the Australian SMEs, Silentium Defence, was in both bid teams. “We are extremely proud to see Silentium’s MAVERICK passive radar sensors integrated as a key component of Lockheed Martin’s winning bid,” said CEO Dr James Palmer. “A disruptive technology, our passive radar sensors provide an undeniable advantage for the ADF and its allies – the ability to see without being seen from ground to space. This is a critical program for Australia, and are we are excited to be a part of it.

“We would also like to acknowledge both bidders for their genuine commitment to engaging Australian industry as part of this process and solution.”