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Lockheed Martin Australia has unveiled a new custom-fit logistics warehouse in Sydney, designed to provide dedicated support services for the Australian Army’s world-class, multi-role UH-60M Black Hawk fleet.
Located just outside the Army’s Holsworthy base, the 4,500-square metre facility forms part of Lockheed Martin Australia’s integrated support contract with the Army. The warehouse stores replenishment spares, support and test equipment, and provisions essential to keep the Black Hawk operations across Australia running smoothly.
The establishment of the warehouse has already created 30 enduring warehouse and logistics jobs in Sydney – with further opportunities on the horizon as the fleet expands in the coming years. Since mid-2023, Lockheed Martin Australia, as the sovereign industry partner providing integrated support services to the Black Hawks, has grown its industrial workforce to 170 employees across the program.
Warren McDonald, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, praised the rapid progress: “I commend the Australian Army and our team for the swift establishment of this logistics warehouse facility. This facility boosts our operational readiness by ensuring the Black Hawk fleet is well supplied, maintained and combat-ready.”
Program manager Rodahn Gibbon added, “Our workforce is privileged to work hand in hand with the Australian Army. We pride ourselves on our deep understanding of rotary wing support services and the way we apply these services to the Black Hawk program through our support contract.”
The state-of-the-art warehouse is equipped with two computer-controlled vertical lift machines which efficiently stack spares vertically, tripling inventory capacity without increasing floor space. These machines also enhance efficiency by reducing travel distances within the warehouse and improving ergonomics by delivering goods directly to the operator.
The Australian Army’s Black Hawk fleet is a versatile asset, capable of executing air assault, medical evacuation, combat search and rescue, command and control, and VIP transport operations. The advanced UH-60M platform incorporates a suite of modern technologies that enhance situational awareness, survivability, maintenance efficiency, operational performance, and interoperability with both existing and future Army platforms.
The switch to Black Hawks is anticipated to save the Commonwealth government AU$2.5 billion, with acquisition and sustainment costs estimated to total AU$7 billion between 2022 and 2037.
