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In a new partnership, Northrop Grumman Australia and Australian-owned and controlled test and evaluation leader Nova Systems have joined forces as part of the company’s bid to win the AIR 6500 Phase 1 Joint Air Battle Management System program.
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Northrop Grumman Australia recently confirmed that it had submitted its response to the Commonwealth for the AIR 6500 Phase 1 Joint Air Battle Management Systems, with support from key Australian industry partners.
Chris Keane, director for strategy and future business at Northrop Grumman Australia, spoke exclusively with Defence Connect saying that the company constantly strives to be a genuine partner to the Australian Defence Force, and that AIR 6500 was an opportunity to demonstrate just that.
“We’re looking to build genuine partnerships with Australian industry and in this context, working with Nova Systems is just fantastic. They are a premier medium-sized defence company whose capabilities are complementary to our own, and whose values really align with ours,” he said.
Keane spoke to Defence Connect about the importance of relationships in business and how in defence, this was even more critical with the strength and quality of the relationship between teaming partners proving often to be integral to the success of a program.
“The relationship with Nova Systems is one that is grounded in trust. Together we make a fantastic team, both seeking to provide an advantage to the ADF that will deliver real, lasting sovereign capability in-country,” said Keane.
Nova Systems chief executive officer Jim McDowell said Nova Systems brings leading sovereign test and evaluation, certification and systems assurance capability to the new AIR6500 partnership with Northrop Grumman Australia.
“Test and evaluation is Nova Systems’ bread and butter,” said McDowell.
“Nova Systems brings truly sovereign capability to our partnership with Northrop Grumman Australia and together, we believe, we are a really strong team.
“We’re not only working together, we’re forming our strategy together and this allows us to confidently engage with the Commonwealth to deliver a winning solution that will ultimately support our nation remain safe and secure for decades to come.”
McDowell said that the complexity of AIR 6500 required different contributions from different companies, each with their own unique expertise.
“For example, Nova Systems delivers truly sovereign capability that not only supports our Defence Force personnel, but the profits made stay in-country, and are reinvested in future capability and R&D. Northrop Grumman Australia complements us, bringing the gravitas and knowledge of a huge global prime,” said McDowell.
Both companies spoke of the long-term vision they have of working together to serve the nation. Bringing together the experience of a global prime defence contractor and world-leading technology with Australian skills, experience and know-how is an advantage both leaders were keen to impress upon Defence Connect.
“Nova Systems is a pioneer in test and evaluation and now a real leader in their field. We’re not looking at a traditional working relationship with them for one or two years, but instead are intent to work together to build sovereign capability for decades. That’s what is so exciting about AIR 6500,” said Keane.
“To truly build sovereign capability through AIR 6500, we need the best of Australian industry,” said Keane. “That’s why working with Nova Systems makes sense.”
