Lockheed Martin Australia and QinetiQ Australia have entered into an agreement for cooperation on the Royal Australian Air Force’s AIR6500 Phase 1 project, which will provide a Joint Air Battle Management System that will form the architecture at the core of the integrated air and missile defense capability.
The two companies will be working together to deliver test and evaluation, verification and validation, certification and assurance services in support of the project
This work will support risk reduction in the transition into the AIR6500-1 acquisition.
Lockheed’s announcement follows the Australian government’s decision from August last year to proceed with Lockheed Martin Australia and Northrop Grumman Australia for the next stage of its Joint Air Battle Management System procurement program.
The final stage of the competitive evaluation process will form the architecture at the core of the Australian defense forces’ future integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capability.
The system will provide persistent situational awareness, defense against advanced air and missile threats, and enhanced interoperability with Australia’s allies.
“Lockheed Martin Australia is delighted to team with QinetiQ Australia,” Steve Froelich, Lockheed Martin Australia AIR6500 program executive said.
“The teaming agreement marks an important focus on designing a highly robust, independently validated, agile AIR6500-1 program solution that supports the Royal Australian Air Force’s vision to transform the Air Force into a next-gen-enabled force.”
QinetiQ Australia’s managing director, Greg Barsby, said the teaming agreement with Lockheed Martin Australia on the next phase of the AIR6500-1 was an exciting opportunity.
“Our highly experienced local team of T&E professionals have been able to leverage QinetiQ’s global expertise in complex test and evaluation, to deliver world-leading solutions while growing sovereign T&E capabilities in Australia,” Mr. Barsby said.
