Major Programs - Defence Connect

Lockheed F-35 US exec backs Aussie supply chain

September 12 2018

Australian firms supplying components for the F-35 Lightning fighter aircraft stand head and shoulder above their peers and Lockheed Martin’s jo...

Melbourne-based Lovitt Technologies has secured a $1.5 million Australian government grant to buy a next-generation machining centre to secure more work on the global F-35...

July 26 2023

Honeywell cooling tech to support next-gen F-35 power systems

Honeywell has announced the successful demonstration of upgrades to the current cooling capacity of the F-35’s Power and Thermal Management System (PTMS) to 80kW.

March 14 2024

Lockheed Martin appoints new F-35 program leader

Lockheed Martin has announced the appointment of a new general manager for the F-35 Lightning II program, with Chauncey McIntosh to take over as vice-president and general...

October 10 2024

Lockheed Martin pushes back on Musk’s F-35 criticisms with eyes on the future

Firing back at contentious comments made by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Lockheed Martin chairman, president and CEO Jim Taiclet has used the 2024 Reagan National Defense Forum to...

January 07 2025

Is the F-35B a better option for Australia’s remaining JSF order?

With the Coalition’s weekend announcement that they would commit an additional $3 billion to round out Australia’s F-35 fleet at 100 aircraft, does the recent...

March 04 2025

Global F-35 fleet passes 1m flight hours

In a major milestone for the global F-35 Lightning II fleet, the aircraft has successfully passed 1 million flight hours.

March 04 2025

US Navy declares IOC for latest Super Hornet infrared sensor suite

The US Navy has formally declared that the new infrared search and track sensor system developed by Lockheed Martin for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet has achieved initial...

February 07 2025

British Army accepts delivery of first UK-built Boxer armoured vehicle

British soldiers are set to receive 623 state-of-the-art Boxer armoured vehicles, marking a major milestone as the first fully British-made Boxer was unveiled today at the...

January 23 2025

Israeli company delivers first lithium ion batteries for Army Redback IFVs

Israeli-based battery manufacturer Epsilor has delivered the first of its 6T series lithium ion batteries to Hanwha Defence Australia for integration in the Australian...

September 02 2024

Boeing officially raises Australian flag on Apache production line

Major General Jeremy King, head of Defence’s Joint Aviation Systems Division, attended the official raising of the Australian flag above the Apache production line at...

April 26 2024

Aussie Poseidons, Wedgetails get a local paint job

Australia’s fleet of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft are set to benefit from a local paint...

July 19 2023

US Army orders $219m worth of additional Precision Strike Missile units

The US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a US$219 million (AU$333.4 million) contract to produce more Early Operational Capability (EOC) Precision Strike Missiles.

March 08 2024

$272m contract to enhance Army’s long-range fires

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy have announced a $272 million investment to provide...

February 12 2025

US Navy, Northrop Grumman confirm IOC for MQ-4C Triton

The US Navy has declared the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton uncrewed aircraft has achieved a declaration of initial operating capability (IOC), as the critical project reaches...

September 15 2023

First Aussie Triton takes flight

The Royal Australian Air Force’s first MQ-4C Triton completed its first flight on Thursday, 9 November, at the company’s Palmdale Aircraft Integration Center in...

November 14 2023

KBR to provide Aussie Triton mission support

KBR has welcomed two separate contracts to provide mission support services for the Royal Australian Air Force’s first MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems.

January 16 2024

Boeing completes Super Hornet upgrade ahead of schedule

Boeing has successfully completed the upgrade and life extension of the first two service life modification F/A-18 Block III Super Hornets, delivering them to the US Navy...

June 28 2024

US approves FMS expansion of South Korean Wedgetail fleet

The US Department of State has approved a US$4.29 billion (AU$6.5 billion) foreign military sale of four E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft to the...

November 06 2024

Boeing Defence Australia secures $569m contract to enhance RAAF Wedgetail fleet

The Albanese government has reinforced the future of the Royal Australian Air Force’s E-7A Wedgetail surveillance aircraft with a $569 million contract, securing...

March 07 2025