Lockheed Martin Australia partners with Conscia for guided weapons enterprise
5 October 2022
Lockheed Martin Australia has announced the selection of leading infrastructure advisory firm, Conscia, as a strategic in-country business partner to plan for future opportunities under the Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.
With expertise in the planning, delivery and accreditation of sensitive facilities and infrastructure for Defence, Canberra-based Conscia will identify potential future locations for central manufacturing.
James Heading, Lockheed Martin Australia’s Director of Programs, Strategic Capabilities Office, Missiles and Fire Control, welcomed Conscia’s experience in project management and infrastructure advisory services. “We’re excited to be partnering with Conscia, an Australian veteran-owned business with deep expertise in the planning, delivery and accreditation of facilities and infrastructure,” Heading said. “In consideration is the transfer of significant technology in critical capability areas – accelerating the development of advanced guided weapon manufacturing in Australia.”
Brendan Bilston, Conscia chairman and executive director, said the team was excited by the opportunity to work with Lockheed Martin Australia to assist in the planning and potential delivery of facilities and infrastructure. “The team is eager to contribute to the development of Lockheed Martin’s advanced production facilities in Australia. This partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia enables us to further build on our Defence infrastructure capabilities while supporting the realisation of a guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise for Australia,” Bilston said.
Selected as a Strategic Industry Partner in the development of the GWEO Enterprise, Lockheed Martin Australia is expanding and opening dedicated administrative program offices in Canberra and Mulwala in anticipation of supporting the delivery of various manufacturing activities.
Lockheed to open new facility at Mulwala
Lockheed Martin Australia has announced it will open a new facility in partnership with Thales Australia in Mulwala, NSW. The Mulwala site is intended to support the Australian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance(GWEO) Enterprise in the development and production of various manufacturing activities. Thales Australia currently manages the Commonwealth owned facility at Mulwala and have made a significant investment in state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing equipment at the site.
Thales Australia’s Chief Executive, Jeff Connolly, said, “We are committed to investing in the industrial capability and technology necessary to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Australian Government’s ambition to accelerate the creation of a Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, boosting skilled jobs and helping secure Australia’s national defence capabilities.”
The Mulwala site is the first co-located presence for Lockheed Martin in Australia. Mr Heading said, “We have also commenced work to identify other potential industrial sites and are positioning to have sustained in-country manufacturing and strong partnerships in place as soon as possible”.
Source: APDR