Lockheed Martin Australia teams with Qinetiq Australia for AIR6500

Lockheed Martin Australia and QinetiQ Australia have signed a teaming agreement to deliver comprehensive Test and Evaluation, Verification and Validation, certification and assurance services in support of the RAAF’s Project AIR6500 Phase 1: Competitive Evaluation Process Stage 2.

The partners will design a test and evaluation and governance framework that supports risk reduction in the transition into the AIR6500-1 acquisition.

AIR6500-1 will provide the ADF with a Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS) that will form the architecture at the core of its planned Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) capability. This will provide persistent situational awareness, defence against advanced air and missile threats, and enhanced interoperability with Australia’s allies.

“The teaming agreement marks an important focus on designing a highly robust, independently validated, agile AIR6500-1 program solution that supports the Royal Australian Air Force’s vision to transform the Air Force into a next-gen-enabled force,” said Steve Froelich, Lockheed Martin Australia AIR6500 Program Executive.

“Lockheed Martin Australia’s proven expertise in building, integrating and sustaining advanced technology systems across complex joint all-domain platforms combined with QinetiQ Australia’s unrivalled expertise in integrated air and missile defence test, evaluation, certification and systems assurance, means we are the trusted partner of choice to deliver an unmatched integrated air battle management capability edge to Australia.”

QinetiQ Australia’s Managing Director, Greg Barsby, said the teaming agreement with Lockheed Martin Australia on the next phase of the AIR6500-1 is an exciting opportunity.

“Our highly experienced local team of T&E professionals have been able to leverage QinetiQ’s global expertise in complex Test and Evaluation, to deliver world-leading solutions while growing sovereign T&E capabilities in Australia,” he said.

“Lockheed Martin Australia’s partnership with QinetiQ Australia demonstrates our commitment to working with the very best of Australian industry,” said Lockheed Martin’s Steve Froelich. “Their team’s early assimilation into our agile software development process builds trust and discipline. We continue to develop a sovereign AIR6500-1 solution in Australia by Australians that will create local job opportunities for Defence Industry.”