Lockheed Martin and Thales form Australian sovereign missile team

Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia have finalised a teaming agreement that will advance the delivery of an Australian guided-weapons manufacturing capability in support of a sovereign national guided-weapons enterprise.

CAPTION: A Lockheed Martin Long Range Anti-Ship Missile – Surface Launch (LRASM SL) variant in flight. Photo supplied byLockheed Martin.

The agreement will see experienced strategic industry partners in Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia cooperate in the design, development and production of Lockheed Martin’s Long Range Anti-Ship Missile – Surface Launch (LRASM SL) variant, with a specific focus on booster and rocket motor technologies.

Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia said in a statement they had unique and complementary backgrounds and expertise in the manufacture and delivery of weapons capabilities that together would provide further impetus for the Australian government’s objective of expanding the sovereign defence industrial and manufacturing capability.

“It will bring Australia a step closer to a sovereign guided-weapons capability,” the companies said in a joint statement.

“This teaming agreement will advance the proven and mature LRASM maritime strike capability across further platforms for the next generation of surface and ground-launch domains.”

Lockheed Martin Australia Chief Executive Joe North said that the teaming agreement represented not only a significant commitment to the delivery of sovereign guided-weapons manufacturing capabilities in Australia but recognised that local industry was also investing in opportunities for local manufacturing and production.

“This is a step change for future weapons manufacture in Australia – through technology transfer and innovation we see the opportunity to drive the creation of a skilled local workforce, build resiliency in supply chains and help secure Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities for now and into the future,” Mr North said.

“We are delighted to be teaming with Thales Australia and our agreement acknowledges the confidence we have in Thales Australia and its’ strong safety culture in the delivery of weapons capabilities.

“The opportunity to work with the team at Thales Australia, the largest manufacturer of explosive ordnance to the Australian Defence Force, with a successful track record of delivering ammunition, propellants, explosives and related services has the makings of a great partnership for the future.”

Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins said the development of booster and rocket-motor technology for the LRASM under the teaming agreement with Lockheed Martin was an indicator of the advanced R&D and industrial capabilities offered by Thales Australia to support a sovereign guided-weapons manufacturing capability.

“High-performance propellants and explosives for warheads, solid-fuel rocket-motor manufacturing and associated R&D and support services delivered by Thales Australia are essential to achieve sovereign guided-weapons capability and we are looking forward to working with Lockheed Martin in support of the Australian Defence Force’s objectives,” Mr Jenkins said.

“Thales currently employs over 650 skilled staff to manufacture munitions systems for the ADF and allied forces, and we work with more than 500 Australian small and medium enterprises and a large range of weapons systems to ensure the ADF receives the locally manufactured munitions they need.

“Through the signing of this agreement with Lockheed Martin, we look forward to expanding our existing booster and rocket-motor production lines to design, develop and manufacture LRASM SL.”

 

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