The six-year Tranche 2B award expands work completed during the previous phase of the program. Lockheed Martin will deliver the project with Australia’s Department of Defence and domestic industry partners.
AIR6500 is intended to link sensors, command centers and targeting systems across the Australian Defence Force. It will also connect with systems operated by allies and partners, supporting coordinated responses to threats across multiple domains.
The latest phase will add advanced command-and-control tools, wider communications links and stronger cybersecurity to the system’s core architecture. Its modular design is intended to support the rapid integration of new technologies as threats and operational requirements change.
“As the strategic partner for AIR6500, Lockheed Martin is proud to continue working with the Department of Defence to rapidly evolve an advanced integrated air and missile defence system that safeguards the Indo-Pacific region,” said Stephanie C. Hill, president of Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems business. “Together, we are maturing a significant capability that strengthens Australia’s national security and increases allied interoperability to combat future threats.”
The program currently supports 360 engineers and technical specialists in Australia. Lockheed Martin plans to increase that workforce to more than 400 people within 18 months.
Australian companies will carry out a substantial share of the work over the contract period. The approach is designed to deepen local expertise and increase Australia’s capacity to sustain the system domestically.
“This contract confirms the Australian Government’s confidence in Australian Defence Industry’s capacity to deliver world-class, Australian-built capabilities that are trusted to protect our nation and its allies,” said Jeremy King, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand. “Lockheed Martin Australia remains firmly committed to continue partnering with primes, small-to-medium enterprises, and academia to source the best-of-breed technologies, delivering a sovereign solution that strengthens Australia’s industrial self-reliance and prosperity.”
Lockheed Martin delivered a modular battle-management prototype under AIR6500 Tranche 2A. It also produced two joint tactical operations centers and a persistent operations node for testing and evaluation.
The company has trained Royal Australian Air Force personnel on the delivered elements. It has also completed an AIR6500 integration laboratory in Adelaide.
“The next phase of AIR6500 fortifies the core of Australia’s integrated air and missile defence,” King said. “AIR6500 enhances the joint force by bringing all ADF defence assets together on a scalable, resilient, and collaborative platform.”
“It gives us clearer cross-domain awareness and a more effective way to respond to air and missile threats,” King added. The system is designed to give commanders a common view of connected defense assets and incoming threats.
Lockheed Martin Australia is separately investing $85.9 million in a national integrated air and missile defense facility. The company said the facility would support resilience across the complete system.
