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Lockheed Martin Australia will work in partnership with QinetiQ Australia to design a test and evaluation and governance framework that supports risk reduction in the transition into the AIR6500-1 acquisition.

AIR6500-1 will provide the Australian Defence Force with a Joint Air Battle Management System that will form the architecture at the core of the Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability. This will provide persistent situational awareness, defence against advanced air and missile threats, and enhanced interoperability with Australia’s allies.

Steve Froelich, Lockheed Martin Australia AIR6500 Program Executive said, “Lockheed Martin Australia is delighted to team with QinetiQ Australia.”

“The teaming agreement marks an important focus on designing a highly robust, independently validated, agile AIR6500-1 program solution that supports the Royal Australian Air Force’s vision to transform the Air Force into a next-gen-enabled force.”

“Lockheed Martin Australia’s proven expertise in building, integrating and sustaining advanced technology systems across complex joint all-domain platforms combined with QinetiQ Australia’s unrivalled expertise in integrated air and missile defence test, evaluation, certification and systems assurance, means we are the trusted partner of choice to deliver an unmatched integrated air battle management capability edge to Australia.”

QinetiQ Australia’s Managing Director, Greg Barsby, said the teaming agreement with Lockheed Martin Australia on the next phase of the AIR6500-1 is an exciting opportunity.

“Our highly experienced local team of T&E professionals have been able to leverage QinetiQ’s global expertise in complex Test and Evaluation, to deliver world-leading solutions while growing sovereign T&E capabilities in Australia. We look forward to collaborating on an innovative Test and Evaluation solution that leverages the digital age we are now immersed in,” Mr. Barsby said.

“Lockheed Martin Australia’s partnership with QinetiQ Australia demonstrates our commitment to working with the very best of Australian industry. Their team’s early assimilation into our agile software development process builds trust and discipline. We continue to develop a sovereign AIR6500-1 solution in Australia by Australians that will create local job opportunities for Defence Industry,” Mr. Froelich said.

“Lockheed Martin Australia has a distinguished history of delivering to the Australian Defence customer and collaborating with Defence Industry. I am delighted QinetiQ is teamed with Lockheed Martin as the sovereign Test and Evaluation service provider and look forward to delivering a state-of-the-art solution to the AIR6500 program,” Mr. Barsby said.