Susan Close MP
Deputy Premier
Minister for Defence and Space Industries
Aerospace and defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin Australia will today open its new Adelaide office which will house more than 90 staff and be home to a dedicated STELaRLab.
STELaRLab, first opened in 2016 in Melbourne, is the first world-class multi-disciplinary research facility to be established by Lockheed Martin outside the US.
The Adelaide office will enable STELaRLab scientists and engineers to drive innovation across several fields including artificial intelligence, autonomy, hypersonics, image and signal processing, tracking and sensor fusion, operations analysis and complex optimisation.
The Adelaide office is a purpose-built facility, encompassing 930 square metres, accommodating engineers, scientists, commercial, legal, administration and operational employees.
The success and expansion of Lockheed Martin Australia’s operations in the state is a great example of how South Australia is leading the charge to build our national sovereign defence capability.
Lockheed Martin Australia first opened offices in South Australia in 2003 with employee numbers in the state increasing from 300 in 2018 to more than 520 in just four years.
Lockheed Martin Australia’s SA operations make up the largest share of its Australian workforce at 40 percent. In 2019, the company contributed $63 million to South Australia’s Gross State Product.
Quotes attributable to Susan Close
Lockheed Martin Australia has made a significant contribution to South Australia’s defence industry by building a sovereign workforce, boosting regional supply chains, elevating research with local universities, and creating exciting job opportunities for skilled workers and graduates in the defence and research sectors.
South Australia is home to an experienced and capable defence industry and Lockheed Martin Australia’s expansion will continue to build on our strong history of delivering critical defence capability and projects and strengthening our nation’s security.
Quotes attributable to Lockheed Martin Australia Chief Executive Warren McDonald
Proudly, Lockheed Martin Australia has had an enduring presence in the South Australia region for the past 20 years.
The opening of our second office location in Adelaide is a testament of our resolute commitment to the region.
Quotes attributable to Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems Australia and New Zealand Vice President of Operations Steve Froelich
We continue to grow our South Australian footprint by creating local jobs, supply chain opportunities, and nurturing regional partnerships with local small to medium enterprises such as Silentium Defence, Consilium Technology, and Consunet to advance Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence capabilities.
We look forward to advancing our partnerships with academia to develop cutting-edge technologies to deepen Australia’s industrial self-reliance and protection of our national interests.
Image: (L-R) Steve Froelich, Vice President of Operations Lockheed Martin RMS Australia and New Zealand together with Steve Georganas MP, Member for Adelaide and Chair of Joint Standing Committee on trade and Investment Growth, the Hon Susan Close, Deputy Premier of South Australia, Richard Price, Chief Executive DefenceSA, and Pat Caruso, Indigenous Artist, We Create Print Deliver at the opening of Lockheed Martin Australia’s Adelaide City Office.
