Lockheed Martin Australia is the designated Virginia Class Submarine Combat System Integration Strategic Partner. The company will work with the Australian Submarine Agency and its strategic sustainment partner to establish a long-term SSN combat systems integration capability.
The program will develop infrastructure, technical skills, training programs and technology-transfer processes in Australia. It will also build industrial partnerships and a workforce able to update, upgrade and support maintenance of submarine combat systems.
“Combat system integration is critical to the capability and effectiveness of our future submarine fleet. This partnership will help grow Australia’s skilled workforce, strengthen sovereign industry capability, and create new opportunities for Australian businesses,” said Rear Admiral David Mann, Australian Submarine Agency Head of Virginia.
“Together, we are building the expertise needed to support and sustain this nationally significant capability for decades to come,” Mann said. The work is intended to establish domestic expertise that can support Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet over its operating life.
The contract will create more than 20 combat systems integration engineering jobs in Western Australia during the first year. Those roles will add to Lockheed Martin Australia’s workforce of more than 470 people across maritime combat systems and integrated air and missile defense.
That workforce is expected to grow as Australian industry increases support for U.S. Navy submarines at Submarine Rotational Force-West. The activity will take place ahead of Australia operating its own nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
“I acknowledge and thank the Australian Submarine Agency on achieving this important milestone. Combat systems integration is fundamental to delivering a highly advanced, secure and operationally dominant submarine fleet,” said Jeremy King, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand.
“Lockheed Martin Australia brings decades of combat systems integration expertise to this partnership, and we are deeply honoured to support the Australian Submarine Agency. This national endeavour builds the workforce and sovereign capability that will underpin Australia’s future submarine enterprise,” King said.
Lockheed Martin Virginia-class submarine specialists from the United States will initially support the Australian engineering team. They will work alongside local personnel to transfer technical knowledge, accelerate training and build domestic integration and sustainment skills.
Lockheed Martin Australia and the Australian Submarine Agency will also assess domestic supply-chain requirements for the Virginia-class combat system. The analysis will identify opportunities for existing and new Australian suppliers to participate in the global Virginia-class supply chain.
“Building Australia’s sovereign combat system integration capability is vital to our future submarine enterprise. This partnership will strengthen our ability to operate seamlessly with allies and deepen the Australia-US industrial base collaboration while contributing to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific,” King said.
