Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand announced collaborations with the Australian industry to offer instrumentation, calibration, and maintenance services for its F-35 aircraft ground support systems.
The enterprises included in the partnership are Marand, Survitec and TR Calibration, according to a news release.
Warren McDonald, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, said the in-country support will “improve F-35 sustainment by eliminating costly and time-consuming shipping, reducing turnaround times and costs for Australia and its Indo-Pacific allies.”
McDonald noted that the contracts provide industrial opportunities for Australian firms, resulting in ongoing growth opportunities for Australia’s defence industrial base.
The collaborations are part of Lockheed Martin’s Product Support Provider network (PSPn), which is a group of service providers chosen to support particular repair specialties. The enterprises come together to create a worldwide network that will enhance mission readiness and sustainment activities.
Meanwhile, price agreements are for performance durations of five years, Lockheed Martin noted.
Rob Weitzman, director of the F-35 Australia Program at Lockheed Martin, said the company’s product support provider network “reduces repair turnaround times and increases reliability to ensure warfighters can respond to 21st Century Security threats.”
“These contracts also reinforce our strong relationships with key Australian suppliers,” Weitzman added.
Sydney-based TR Calibration specialises in the calibration and repair of test and measurement equipment and instruments within Australia.
Survitec is a provider of survival technology to the maritime, defence and government, aerospace, and energy sectors worldwide.
Marand primarily serves the mining, rail, aerospace, defence, and energy industries with its complex and creative equipment and products.
For more information on Australia’s participation in the F-35 program, visit F35.com/Australia.
