Lockheed Martin Australia has commenced manufacturing operations at a new Missile Assembly Facility in Port Wakefield, South Australia, marking what the company describes as a significant step in developing domestic guided-weapons capability.
In a news release, Lockheed Martin said the Defence-owned facility will enable Australian assembly of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) All Up Rounds and Launch Pod Containers.
The GMLRS munitions are used by the Australian Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and have a range of more than 70 kilometres.
According to Lockheed Martin, the facility’s fit-out was completed under the Guided Weapons Production Capability Risk Reduction Activity, supporting the objectives of the Australian Government’s Guided Weapons and Explosives Ordnance (GWEO) Plan.
Paula Hartley, Vice President of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin, said the launch of the facility represents “a key milestone for the Australian Government’s GWEO Enterprise,” adding that domestic production would “strengthen sovereign capability” while maintaining compatibility with US systems.
“I commend everyone involved in the delivery of this facility, including the GWEO Group, Aurecon, Intract, and Defence’s Security Estate Group, for their professionalism and hard work during the planning and construction,” she said. “This facility was built and commissioned in record time.”
The company said Australian engineers have spent the past year undergoing specialised training at Lockheed Martin’s missile production facilities in the United States.
The trained engineers then worked with Australian and U.S. counterparts to complete the Port Wakefield fit-out, which will assemble the first tranche of GMLRS munitions outside the United States.
“The Australian engineers have trained extensively in the U.S., bringing back cutting-edge expertise and best practices – reinforcing our technology transfer commitments and ensuring Australian talent remains at the forefront of missile engineering,” Hartley said.
Lockheed Martin stated that the Risk Reduction Activity enables more efficient knowledge and technology transfer and serves as a pathfinder toward broader guided-weapons manufacturing in Australia.
James Heading, Director and General Manager of Missiles and Fire Control at Lockheed Martin Australia, said the company continues to work toward the aims of the GWEO Plan.
“We are committed to establishing a viable and sustainable guided weapons manufacturing industry in Australia,” he said.
Heading added that Lockheed Martin is working toward “a robust, versatile, and resilient supply chain” supported by Australian companies.
“To date, Lockheed Martin Australia has awarded contracts to Thales Australia, Marand, AW Bell, and Moog Australia to advance guided weapons manufacturing in Australia,” he said.
“Lockheed Martin has a long and successful history in the development of world-class, proven, long-range strike capabilities. Our team looks forward to ongoing collaboration with government, Defence, industry, and academia for the establishment of guided weapons manufacturing capabilities,” Heading said.
