Lockheed Martin Australia appoints GWEO program lead

Lockheed Martin Australia has appointed Mr Ken Kota as vice president, Australian Defence Strategic Capabilities Office. He is currently Vice President Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business in Orlando, Florida.

In this newly created role, Ken Kota will lead Lockheed Martin’s approach to delivering a sovereign guided weapons capability as part of the Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise, reporting to Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President, Scott Greene.

“Lockheed Martin understands the strategic importance of Australia’s GWEO Enterprise and is committed to putting the best people in front of this national endeavour,” said Warren McDonald, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand. “Ken brings significant experience in missile defence and strike weapons to the team. Under his guidance, and with ready access to US capabilities and experience, Lockheed Martin Australia will help build the in-country knowledge and engineering expertise required to deliver GWEO.”

Ken Kota will leverage Lockheed Martin’s deep expertise in missile design and manufacture to accelerate the development of advanced guided weapon manufacturing capabilities in Australia.

This includes ensuring expedient access to existing technologies and systems currently utilised in Lockheed Martin’s advanced weapons factories, rapidly mobilising a highly skilled workforce and establishing the local industry partnerships needed to manufacture and maintain critical guided weapons.

“As one of the largest manufacturers of guided weapons in the world, Lockheed Martin has a long, proud history designing, developing and manufacturing precision engagement aerospace and defence systems,” he said.

“In the short term, we will accelerate Australia’s ability to maintain and manufacture sovereign guided weapons. And in the long term, we will support a durable and resilient supply chain that secures Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities.”

Lockheed Martin was selected as a Strategic Industry Partner in the development of the Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise in April 2022.