NIOA partners with L3Harris, Innovaero on guided weapons manufacturing in Australia

NIOA could produce propulsion systems and warheads for the Tomahawk Cruise Missiles under its new partnership with L3Harris. (US Navy)

Queensland-based NIOA has entered into partnerships with US company L3Harris Technologies and local firm Innovaero to support manufacturing of guided weapons components in Australia.

NIOA renewed its agreement with L3Harris on 15 April to establish a rocket motor and warhead manufacturing capability in Australia, while its collaboration with aerospace firm Innovaero, announced on 16 April, aims to support the development of loitering munitions.

NIOA-L3Harris

NIOA's new agreement with L3Harris builds on its collaboration with the US company's Aerojet Rocketdyne, now Missile Solutions, signed in 2023.

An NIOA spokesperson told Janes that the renewed agreement will support Australia's efforts to develop a solid rocket motor industrial base.

The spokesperson said the partnership would also contribute to the replenishment of global allied inventories of the Standard Missile (SM), Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD), and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor missile.

Under the partnership, a manufacturing facility for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) as well as propulsion systems and warheads for SMs and Tomahawk Cruise Missiles could be established in Australia, the spokesperson added.

In addition, L3Harris has committed to moving all manufacturing efforts related to NULKA Active Missile Decoy back to Australia, the spokesperson added. The original missile was developed in a collaborative programme in Australia in the early 1970s, according to the spokesperson.

“NIOA and L3Harris look forward to working with [Australia's Department of Defence] to support the Australian GWEO [Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance] Plan priorities and the munitions needs of the Australian Defence Force [ADF] while creating hundreds of skilled Australian jobs,” the spokesperson said.