Lockheed Martin Australia, in partnership with Northrop Grumman Australia and Thales Australia, has conducted the successful detonation of a co-produced warhead at a test range near Bourke, NSW—marking another significant milestone in establishing Australia’s sovereign guided weapons capability. Produced and demonstrated in just 11 weeks, the effort underscores the speed and agility of Australia’s defence industry.
The warhead, manufactured by Northrop Grumman with support from Thales, is designed for use in Lockheed Martin’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)—a precision-guided munition employed by the Australian Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher, capable of striking targets at ranges beyond 70 km.
The joint effort represents a critical step toward establishing a domestic guided weapon warhead production capability in Australia. The successful demonstration highlighted a low-risk, rapid pathway to capability while underscoring the strength of collaboration across Australian defence industry partners.
“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.”
“Lockheed Martin has established a GMLRS factory in Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia is the OEM of the warhead of choice,” said Jeff Connolly, CEO Thales Australia and New Zealand. “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.”
As a GWEO strategic partner, Lockheed Martin Australia, with industry partners, is accelerating the development and production of guided weapons in Australia. The project demonstrates warhead production using existing resources and facilities, while highlighting the benefits for Australia through industry uplift, local employment opportunities, and economic growth.
“Northrop Grumman’s production experience, program planning and manufacturing capabilities are well suited to support accelerating sovereign warhead manufacturing in Australia,” said Rob Denney, Northrop Grumman Australia Country Executive. “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.”
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