Lockheed Martin Australia has expanded its South Australian footprint, with the opening of its new purpose-designed Adelaide office.

The new 930 square metre office will accommodate more than 90 staff from across its 520-strong South Australian workforce including engineers, scientists, commercial, legal, administration and operational employees. It will also house a dedicated STELaRLab, increasing the company’s R&D presence in the state.

First opened in 2016 in Melbourne, STELaRLaB is the first world-class multi-disciplinary research facility to be established by Lockheed Martin outside of the US. The company’s Adelaide-based STELaRLaB scientists and engineers will drive innovation across several fields including artificial intelligence, autonomy, hypersonics, image and signal processing, tracking and sensor fusion, operations analysis and complex optimisation.

Lockheed Martin Australia Chief Executive Warren McDonald said the new office reinforced the importance of the company’s South Australian operations.

“Proudly, Lockheed Martin Australia has had an enduring presence in the South Australian region for the past 20 years,” he said. “The opening of our second office location in Adelaide City is a testament of our resolute commitment to the region.”

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.

Adelaide-based Vice President of Operations Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems Australia and New Zealand Steve Froelich added that the company’s local capability would continue to grow stronger.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The office was officially opened by South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Defence and Space Industries Susan Close.

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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.