Lockheed Martin Australia congratulated the Australian Army on the rapid establishment of a second operating node for the UH-60M Black Hawks in South East Queensland’s Swartz Barracks, Oakey. The second node ensures the steady growth of high-skilled rotary-wing industry roles across regional Queensland. It builds upon Lockheed Martin Australia, and its company Sikorsky Australia’s, sustainment support for the ‘Hawk’ family of helicopters in Australia.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Executive Warren McDonald commended the Australian Army on the UH-60M Black Hawk program achievement. “The culmination of the Australian Army announcing initial operating capability for the UH-60M Black Hawks in February together with launching a second aviation operating node is significant. It showcases Army’s expertise and steadfast commitment to delivering critical capability at speed to protect Australia.”
As the sovereign industry partner providing integrated support services to the Black Hawks, Lockheed Martin Australia has quickly grown the industrial workforce to 170 employees across the program since mid-2023. In Oakey, Lockheed Martin Australia has secured 45 skilled maintenance, operations, supply and training support employees, which is set to increase to 75 by mid-2026.
In March 2025, Lockheed Martin Australia established a new custom-fit logistics warehouse facility in Sydney to support the operational readiness of the Black Hawk Fleet across Australia.
McDonald added, “As the manufacturer of the UH-60M Black Hawk, we deeply understand the asset and are committed to providing trusted sustainment support services to the Australia Army with ongoing reliability, speed, and affordability.”
Lockheed Martin Australia’s Black Hawk Program Manager, Rodahn Gibbon reflected, “It’s incredibly motivating to see the Australian Army’s Black Hawk program expand on the ground in Oakey.” “Over the last 12 months, Lockheed Martin Australia has been laser focused on establishing a capable and qualified workforce of aircraft maintenance engineers, logisticians, and aircrew to support the Australian Army.” “We are proud to contribute to the sustainment effort in Oakey, which generates promising job prospects for aviation professionals in the region,” said Rodahn Gibbon.
Commander of the Australian Army’s Aviation Command, Major General David Hafner, said the continued introduction of the Black Hawk fleet would ensure our Defence Force was equipped to respond to domestic emergencies and future security challenges, as well as support our regional partners in times of need. The modernisation of Army’s aviation capabilities is providing our soldiers with the enhanced situational awareness, tactical speed, reach, and firepower required to protect Australia and our national interests,” Major General Hafner said. “I want to thank the United States Army for their continued support in the delivery of the UH-60M Black Hawk to Australia, and our industry partners at Lockheed Martin Australia for aiding with the sustainment of this critical capability.”
The second operating node leverages existing defence industry capability with Lockheed Martin Australia and Sikorsky Australia supporting the UH-60M Black Hawk and Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk across South East Queensland and New South Wales.
Head of Joint Aviation Systems Division Major General Jeremy King said collaboration with defence industry was vital in equipping and sustaining our battlefield aviation capability. “The expansion of the Black Hawk fleet will be supported by a highly skilled, embedded defence industry workforce, working side by side with our Army Aviation specialists to deliver and sustain this critical capability,” Major General King said.
Swartz Barracks will also see more than $9 million of essential infrastructure upgrades to support the expansion of the fleet, with construction to begin in the coming months.
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