Lockheed Martin Australia unveils Black Hawk trainee program

The first cohort of six aircraft maintenance engineer apprentices have already been onboarded with Lockheed Martin Australia and are now stationed at Holsworthy Barracks.

Through the program, new apprentices will learn the specialist skills to inspect, service, repair, test and troubleshoot Black Hawk aircraft systems and components, alongside seasoned aviation professionals.

Rodahn Gibbon, Lockheed Martin Australia Black Hawk program manager, called the new program an “important investment”, dedicated to developing a new generation of locally skilled engineers and logisticians.

“Over the next four years, they’ll develop the expertise and knowledge required to support the Black Hawk fleet while growing the depth of experience we need as the fleet matures,” he said.

The new program will build upon that of the three logistician trainees, who joined the company in June 2025 and have now successfully completed their training.

These trainees completed a 12-month Certificate IV in supply chain operations, gaining mission-critical skills to inspect, track and manage high-value, regulated military aircraft components at Lockheed Martin Australia’s Black Hawk logistics warehouse in Sydney.

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According to LMA, the Black Hawk workforce plan leverages Sikorsky Australia’s long-term expertise in developing aviation maintenance and logistics professionals through its Seahawk apprenticeship program.

In 2026, Sikorsky Australia onboarded six new Seahawk apprentices. Its early career program now employs 17 apprentices, representing approximately 20 per cent of the technical workforce and an annual investment of more than $1 million. To date, the Seahawk apprenticeship program has produced 17 fully qualified aircraft technicians.

Sikorsky Australia general manager Cliff Kyle said: “Building the workforce behind the aircraft is fundamental to sustaining ‘Hawk’ capability in Australia.

“Our apprenticeship and trainee programs form a core pillar of our future workforce strategy. They give us the opportunity to develop the technical skills, ability and culture we need to support the Australian Defence Force’s ‘Hawk’ capabilities and create highly skilled careers for Australians.”

“Through our Seahawk program, we’ve seen the energy, diversity and fresh perspectives apprentices bring to the workforce,” Kyle added. “It’s really powerful to see the positive impact they have in strengthening and influencing the broader team. We’re now bringing that experience to the Black Hawk program, fostering a skilled workforce that will be critical to maintaining these fleets for decades to come.”

Earlier this year, Lockheed Martin Australia revealed that it has now employed over 200 people to support the Australian Army’s Black Hawk program, providing through-life sustainment out of Holsworthy, Oakey and Brisbane.

Army now boasts a fleet of 19 Black Hawks, with over 5,000 operational flight hours collectively.