Lockheed Martin's involvement with, and support for Australia began in the early-1940s, when the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) began flying the legendary 'Hudson' bomber. By the time of Japan's entry into World War II, the RAAF had taken delivery of 152 Hudsons.

As the Hudson's were phased out of service in the late-1940s, the Australian Government next ordered twelve P2V 'Neptune' aircraft in 1951, which were later modified (as the Mk 2) for the specialised maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare role. In 1958, the RAAF became the first international customer for Lockheed Martin's C-130A ‘Hercules’ tactical transport aircraft.

Over the ensuing 55 years, this founding relationship has grown into an extensive partnership with the Australian Department of Defence, national security agencies and local industry spanning the air, land, maritime, information technology, space and civil business areas.

The RAAF today operates 12 C-130Js, and the Australian Government has selected the F-35A 'Lightning II' multi-role fighter to replace the current ‘Hornet’ fighter fleet. An initial tranche of 14 aircraft is to be acquired under project Air 6000, with up to 100 of the unique fifth generation fighters to be ordered over the next decade.

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will soon launch its first 'Hobart'-class air warfare destroyers (project Sea 4000). These ships will be equipped with the Lockheed Martin designed 'Aegis' combat system - the world's premier proven naval area defence system which already operates with multiple allied navies.

Through the wholly-owned Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA), an enviable record of successfull program execution and delivery of innovative capability has been established, all focused on satifying the most difficult needs of its Australian customers.

A case in point is the innovative Jindalee Over-the-Horizon Radar Network (JORN), which since 2003 has provided a unique vehicle for long range surveillance and national border protection. Local development and progressive enhancement of the system has established Australia as a world leader in long range radar and surveillance technology. Continual innovation by Lockheed Martin staff is providing long-term savings under the Strategic Reform Program, while sustaining a skilled workforce to progress the next round of system upgrades.

Lockheed Martin capabilities in advanced radar, communications and systems integration have been further applied to deliver a state-of-the-art Advanced Train Management System (ATMS) for the Australian Rail Track Corporation. This advanced technology promises substantial productivity improvements and assocated cost reductions in train system management, thus helping to position Australia at the forefront of rail technology innovation worldwide.

Looking to the future, LMA is now working to apply its engineering capabilities, along with other leading edge technologies, to Australia’s next generation of undersea and surface ships. Projects in focus include: the 12 future submarines (project Sea 1000) – set to replace the existing ‘Collins’-class boats after 2025; while platform and combat system options drawn from our Littoral Combat Ship are relevant to the Offshore Patrol Vessel (project Sea 1180) and replacement ‘Anzac’-class frigate (project Sea 5000) fleets.

LMA’s proven record of successful program execution across defence systems also extends into the Civil IT domain, with capabilities ranging from Managed ICT Services, to the development and delivery of complex classified software solutions. LMA’s affordable and reliable solutions have been effectively leveraged to support IT structures employed by the Australian Taxation Office, as well as several other government instrumentalities and service agencies.

Our Australian IT and cyber footprint has been considerably expanded with the opening of our NexGen Cyber Innovation & Technology Centre (NCITE AU), which is located at Lockheed Martin Centennial House in the national capital, Canberra. This capability will be extended later in 2013 by the establishment of a Security Intelligence Centre.

Lockheed Martin is also an acknowledged leader in the delivery of world class simulation and training systems. Focusing on fixed wing pilot and aircraft maintainer training through to automated ship control systems, LMA recognises that one size does not fit all, and we are working to provide scalable and tailored solutions to meet Australia’s current and future simulation and training needs. One current pursuit is the delivery of an innovative solution for the ADF’s future Pilot Training System (project Air 5428), drawing off our Basic Wings Course solution for the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

LMA could not have achieved its growth in Australia without the firm commitment of its local partners. Through mentoring under the early development stages of the F-35 program, several Australian-owned companies have now won significant contracts building components for the aircraft. Moving forward as the F-35 program heads into full rate production, millions of dollars of additional contract opportunities will become available to local industry.

To further extend its local partnership base, LMA signed a Global Supply Chain Deed with the Commonwealth of Australia, which extends existing (and new) relationships with local enterprises into global component and sub-system supply chain opportunities for future contracts won in Australia. We have opened an Australian Office of Industrial Participation to leverage GSC opportunities for local industry related to a much broader range of military contracts, including the MH-60R naval helicopter acqusition (Air 9000/8) now underway.

From those modest beginnings in the late-1950s, LMA has grown to over 750 staff currently engaged throughout Australia - from Queensland to Western Australia and many points in between. Across the 'ditch', over 200 Lockheed Martin staff support the New Zealand Defence Force under the project ‘Alexander’ logistics contract. By combining skilled staff with an experienced management team, and through a customer oriented contracting approach offers real value-for-money solutions, Lockheed Martin aims to continue to grow and establish itself as a major presence in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.