Australia names Lockheed system integration partner for AUKUS

Lockheed Martin Australia engineers conducting undersea combat system integration simulation activity in the Endeavour Centre, Lockheed Martin Australia House, Canberra. (Lockheed Martin)

Australia's Department of Defence (DoD) has selected Lockheed Martin Australia as the combat system integration partner for the AUKUS programme.

The DoD said on 15 May that the partnership will provide “extensive opportunities for Australian industry and workers and build the breadth of technical skill and knowledge in Australia”.

Lockheed Martin said on the same day that it will collaborate with the Australian Submarine Agency and domestic submarine sustainment partner ASC to develop a local workforce to deliver a Virginia combat system integration capability.

Under the phased plan, Australia will build the combat systems infrastructure, technical skills, industry partnerships, and workforce required to sustain, update, and enhance the combat systems of its conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet, Lockheed Martin said.

Lockheed Martin will begin the necessary capability uplift to ensure readiness to support forward-deployed submarines at Submarine Rotational Force-West ahead of the delivery of the Virginia-class submarines, the company added.

Australia is scheduled to receive its first of three sovereign Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s, according to the DoD.

The DoD said the combat system integration partner will be critical to the effectiveness of Australia's Virginia-class submarines, noting that “the combat system underpins the potency and lethality of a submarine”, including implementing and testing combat system upgrades and supporting crews in maintenance and repair.

Lockheed Martin's selection complements the Australia-United States submarine combat system armament co-operative programmes, supporting the integration and sustainment of the submarines' combat capability, the DoD said.

“This will ensure our future combat systems incorporate the latest in technology and maintain advantage in the undersea domain,” it added.