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The prime contractor has filled the newly created position of program director to help support the delivery of the Joint Air Battle Management System as part of AIR 6500-1.
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Rob Milligan, current lead for Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Warfare Systems and Sensors business line and custodian of the Australian Aegis Combat System program, has been appointed to the newly created role of program director for AIR 6500-1.
Lockheed Martin Australia was selected as Australia’s strategic partner by the Australian Department of Defence in August, with the Joint Air Battle Management System set to be the core of the ADF’s future integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) capability.
The appointment is effective from 1 January 2024, with Milligan working from Lockheed Martin Australia’s Adelaide office.
His priority will be to oversee the establishment of the contractual and governance arrangements in partnership with Defence and develop a program delivery pathway, the prime contractor revealed.
He will also oversee the prime’s growing sovereign industrial capability, IAMD workforce and developing supply chain partnerships.
Milligan served for 13 years with the Royal Australian Navy as a naval engineer.
Warren McDonald, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, detailed the importance of the appointment.
“We are focused on having a high-performing leadership team in place to support the Australian Defence Force’s vision to transform into a fully integrated and IAMD-capable force through AIR 6500-1.
“I congratulate Rob on his appointment. With significant expertise across defence program management, Rob is the right leader for this endeavour. I look forward to working with Rob to build on our industrial capability base grown during the initial competition phase, including industry partnerships to bring AIR 6500-1 to fruition.
“Also, I thank Steve Froelich for his remarkable leadership overseeing operations for Lockheed Martin Australia and Zealand and as the AIR 6500 program executive in-country during the AIR 6500 competition,” McDonald said.
Milligan welcomed the opportunity to deliver the capability.
“I am extremely honoured to be selected to lead the program management for AIR 6500-1. Throughout my career, I have continually strived to meaningfully contribute to ensuring the best outcomes for the Australian Defence Force. I’m excited to lead this critical IAMD program that will protect Australia.”
