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In collaboration with Defence, Lockheed Martin Australia has announced the commencement of operation at a new missile assembly facility in Port Wakefield, South Australia.
The South Australian facility will see manufacturing of sovereign missile Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), all-up rounds, and launch pod containers. Aligning with the federal government’s Guided Weapons and Explosives Ordnance Plan (GWEO), the facility aims to strengthen Australia’s ability to produce, maintain and deploy advanced munitions independently.
“The long-term goal for Lockheed Martin Australia is to establish a robust, versatile and resilient supply chain where we are self-sufficient and can rely upon Australian industry to deliver what is needed in support of the GWEO Plan,” said James Heading, director and general manager missiles and fire control at Lockheed Martin.
“Our team looks forward to ongoing collaboration with government, Defence, industry and academia for the establishment of guided weapons manufacturing capabilities.”
The facility, which is owned by Defence, is developed and designed as part of the Guided Weapons Production Capability Risk Reduction Activity. The GMLRS precision-guided rockets fired from the Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System provide long-range strike capability, exceeding 70 kilometres.
“The completion of this state-of-the-art facility marks a key milestone for the Australian government’s GWEO Enterprise. By establishing domestic production of GMLRS, we are strengthening sovereign capability, ensuring full compatibility with US inventories,” said Paula Hartley, vice president tactical missiles at Lockheed Martin.
Over the past year, a select group of Australian engineers has been undertaking intensive specialist training at Lockheed Martin’s missile production facilities in the United States and have returned home to collaborate with American and Australian counterparts on the efficiency of the Port Wakefield site. The facility marks the first time this level of production has taken place outside the US.
“The Australian engineers have trained extensively in the US, 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.
