Lockheed Martin Australia, working with Northrop Grumman Australia and Thales Australia, has carried out a test detonation of a co-produced warhead at a range near Bourke, New South Wales, according to a joint media release.
The companies said the warhead was produced and demonstrated in 11 weeks and is intended for use in Lockheed Martin’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), a precision-guided munition used by the Australian Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The release said the system can strike targets at ranges beyond 70 kilometres.
The partners described the test as a step toward establishing a domestic warhead production capability under the Commonwealth’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) objectives, part of a broader push to build sovereign guided weapons manufacturing capacity in Australia.
“This demonstration showcases the strength of Australian industry working together to design, manufacture and test production-quality warhead technologies in-country,” said Jeremy King, Chief Executive Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand. “It marks an important step forward toward achieving the Commonwealth’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) objectives. Lockheed Martin is committed to our partnership with Thales Australia and Northrop Grumman Australia and to the development of GMLRS-related warheads essential for achieving a sovereign guided weapons capability for Defence.”
Thales Australia and New Zealand CEO Jeff Connolly said Lockheed Martin has established a GMLRS factory in Australia and described Northrop Grumman Australia as the original equipment manufacturer for the warhead.
“Lockheed Martin has established a GMLRS factory in Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia is the OEM of the warhead of choice,” Connolly said. “Thales Australia is committed to leveraging our enduring and sovereign defence capabilities and to work with both parties and establish in-country manufacturing to increase supply certainty and deliver the Australian Defence Force capability. This demonstration highlights the success of the approach and proves the partners can deliver this system and are on the path to more complex system production.”
Northrop Grumman Australia Country Executive Rob Denney said the company’s manufacturing experience could support scaling production in Australia.
“Northrop Grumman’s production experience, program planning and manufacturing capabilities are well suited to support accelerating sovereign warhead manufacturing in Australia,” Denney said. “In collaboration with Lockheed Martin, Thales Australia, the Commonwealth and local suppliers, we’re committed to accelerating manufacturing of long-range guided weapons and enhancing a sovereign Australian capability that is scalable, affordable and effective.”
The release said the project used existing resources and facilities, and cited potential benefits including local employment and economic activity. It also claimed overall results exceeded expectations.
