22 April 2021

Update: Lockheed Martin, Thales Australia team for surface-launched LRASM-development

by Robin Hughes

Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control and Thales Australia have finalised a teaming agreement to cooperate in the design, development and production of a surface-launched variant of Lockheed Martin’s AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM), designated LRASM-SL.

The teaming agreement, announced on 22 April, is intended to advance the delivery of an Australian guided weapons manufacturing capability in support of a sovereign national guided weapons enterprise.

“Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia are world leaders in the development of defence and guided weapons capabilities. This agreement represents a coming together of complementary capabilities to bring that expertise and experience to advance the sovereign guided weapons manufacturing in Australia. Today’s [22 April] announcement for the LRASM-SL marks the final stage of the work to realise this agreement and we will continue to work together advance the relationship. Jointly, we will represent our expertise and experience to advance the delivery of an Australian guided weapons manufacturing capability,” Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia spokespersons told Janes in a joint statement.

“Over time and through this agreement, it is our joint objective to expand the sovereign industrial and manufacturing capability in alignment with the Australian government’s capability requirements,” the statement added.

Lockheed Martin and Thales Australia did not disclose further detail about the LRASM-SL rocket motor and booster design, or detail the development, production and initial trials programme timelines associated with the LRASM-SL initiative.