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Lockheed Martin to build deployable mission system kits for RAAF F-35s

written by australianaviation.com.au | June 1, 2017

Artist’s impression of the, deployable mission planning workspaces. (Defence)

Defence has signed a $37.5 million contract with Lockheed Martin Australia to provide the Royal Australian Air Force with deployable mission system equipment, primarily for the F-35A Lightning II.

Lockheed Martin is working with Newcastle-based Varley Group to deliver “transportable, secure and environmentally-controlled” Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) workspaces to enable connection to ALIS elsewhere in the world. ALIS serves as the information infrastructure for the F-35.

The workspace cabins will also host off-board mission planning systems used by the RAAF’s F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

“Acquiring these new portable, Australian-made cabins is an important part of our Joint Strike Fighter program, and will mean that our top secret systems and personnel who support our jets on the ground will be securely housed and protected,” said Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne.

This contract is distinct from Australian work on the global program, and has been awarded to meet a sovereign requirement.

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“Varley has been a proven performer on our F-35 program and further expanding this partnership gives us the local skills and expertise to improve our support to Defence,” Vince Di Pietro, Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive said in a statement.

Lockheed Martin says there is the possibility of future follow-on sales and export opportunities on completion of the initial contract in April 2020.

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Comments (7)

  • Hayden.R

    says:

    would these include firefighting kits? also would they be c-17 deployable?

  • Bill

    says:

    Bit of after thought is it not ?

    One would think that would be a standard requirement for all Military Aircraft

  • Warwick

    says:

    So, basically they want heavy duty trailers to cart around all the required maintenance kit they may need? And for this…… They pay Lockheed Martin 38 million odd dollars for this? They could not have asked a Engineering officer to draw up and a plan and go to Bunnings?

  • Paul

    says:

    Yes Hayden they are.

  • Hayden.R

    says:

    or just get a local company, many camper trailer businesses would be willing.

  • Raymond

    says:

    Lol, this is not a Bunnings or ‘camper trailer business’ undertaking. There are critical security considerations, among others. Reading the article reveals that Australian Varley Group is working with LM to deliver the project. Sounds perfectly reasonable and sensible to me.

  • Paul

    says:

    Raymond,anything about the F-35 sounds sensible to you.

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