Lockheed Martin tests ground-based air defense system in Australia

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Australia and the U.S. Navy, conducted a live fire test of a developmental Medium Range Ground Based Air Defence (MRGBAD) prototype at the Woomera Test Range in Australia, according to a company press release.

The test, called Taipan Strike 26, demonstrated the integration of radar detection, command and control, and mobile launcher systems. The demonstration used CEA's radar system from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to identify and track a representative threat, while virtualized Aegis Weapons System capabilities were deployed in an expeditionary form factor to support command and control. An Aegis-initialized mobile ground-based launcher was used to engage the target.

The demonstration leveraged the Aegis baseline developed for the Hunter Class Frigate and Hobart Class Destroyer modernization programs. The prototype system is compatible with weapons currently fielded on the Hobart Class Destroyers or future Hunter Class Frigates.

"This demonstration showcased how existing systems can be integrated across domains and orchestrated across coalition partners to achieve mission success," said Joe DePietro, Mission Integration Command and Control Vice President and General Manager at Lockheed Martin.

Jeremy King, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, said the live fire demonstration "provides accelerated capability options to deliver a medium-range, ground-based air defence capability for the Australian Defence Force."

Lockheed Martin is also the strategic partner for Australia's AIR6500 Joint Air Battle Management System program.

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