iscover
Lockheed Martin Australia is collaborating with Australian supplier AW Bell to progress production verification activities for the manufacture of canards for Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) munitions.
This initiative forms part of a demonstration program in partnership with the Commonwealth’s multibillion-dollar Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise.
This demonstration program is the first GWEO Enterprise-funded activity aimed at identifying and enhancing Australian industry as a potential source for GMLRS and future missile manufacturing opportunities. The initiative aligns with the Australian government’s objectives to develop local industry capability and bolster industrial resilience, as outlined by Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy MP, in the government’s GWEO Plan.
AW Bell, a Melbourne-based company, specialises in producing complex metal products with high mechanical properties for the aerospace, defence, and other industries. The company excels in advanced castings manufacturing and precision machining, and this tasking presents an opportunity to advance the production verification of GMLRS canards through a domestic manufacturing demonstration process.
Lockheed Martin will work closely with AW Bell to identify any necessary tooling or equipment required for the task and refine manufacturing techniques to meet product specifications.
James Heading, director and general manager of Lockheed Martin Australia Missiles and Fire Control, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership. “As a GWEO strategic partner, Lockheed Martin is excited to work with AW Bell on GMLRS canards and continue to develop genuine sovereign capabilities. AW Bell has a strong reputation as a world-class supplier of precision parts for defence and industry, making them a key partner for this and other potential projects, whilst also opening up future export pathways,” he said.
“Canards are a product with very stringent technical requirements. Commencing the domestic uplift of a GMLRS canards supplier will help elevate AW Bell to be more competitive in the global supply chain and better position another Australia-based supplier for future growth here and in international markets,” Heading added.
AW Bell CEO Sam Bell highlighted the significance of the collaboration. “AW Bell is proud to be working with Lockheed Martin on these complex cast and machined components. To be given the opportunity to prove capability in-country is a real honour. We are passionate about building sovereign independence and strengthening the Australian manufacturing industrial base. This is a great step forward in showcasing Australian capability to supply advanced solutions that serve both local and global markets. We are excited by the relationship ahead with Lockheed Martin and appreciate their support of local manufacturers,” he said.
This partnership represents a significant step in strengthening Australia’s defence manufacturing capabilities and further integrating local industry into global supply chains.
The MLRS Family of Munitions (MFOM) consists of a range of precision-strike rockets and missiles with continuous evolutionary development to meet the needs of modern warfighters.
These combat-proven, cost-effective and low-risk munitions significantly minimise collateral damage while providing exceptional capability and flexibility in countering contemporary threats, with key features including:
- Persistent, responsive, all-weather capability: Rapidly deployable, long-range, surface-to-surface, precision-strike capability.
- Compatibility: Launched from both the MLRS M270 family of launchers and the HIMARS launchers.
- Payload capacity: Each launch pod accommodates six rockets, with M270 launchers carrying two pods and HIMARS launchers carrying one.
- Proven performance: Over 60,000 GMLRS rockets produced to date, with a reliability rating exceeding 98 per cent.
- Future development: The Extended-Range GMLRS (ER GMLRS) rocket is currently in development.
There are currently three main GMLRS variants:
- GMLRS Unitary: A combat-proven Guided MLRS Unitary round that integrates a 200-pound unitary warhead, delivering precision strikes for point targets with a range exceeding 70 kilometres.
- GMLRS Alternative Warhead (AW): The Guided MLRS AW round was the first munition designed to engage area targets without leaving unexploded ordnance, complying with the US Department of Defense cluster munitions policy and international regulations. It delivers a 200-pound-class fragmenting warhead and has a range exceeding 70 kilometres.
- Extended-Range GMLRS: A new developmental variant, ER GMLRS extends the range to 150 kilometres under all weather conditions. Sharing commonality with legacy GMLRS rounds, ER GMLRS is deployable by both HIMARS and the MLRS M270 family of launchers. The design incorporates a larger motor and enhanced manoeuvrability through tail-driven control.
This partnership represents a significant step in strengthening Australia’s defence manufacturing capabilities and further integrating local industry into global supply chains.
