He toured the Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter production line, confirming that the fighter was what the RAAF needed into the future.
He also finalised discussions with US industry on Australia's Future Submarine project that will replace the Collins class submarines.
"The US is a leader in the design and development of submarine technology, and I expect that Australia will look to learn from companies like General Dynamics Electric Boat and Lockheed Martin in designing and developing the Collins class replacement," Mr Combet said.
"The Future Submarine will be Australia's largest ever Defence acquisition and the Rudd Government is committed to ensuring that Australia obtains a world-leading submarine capability.
"US technology is likely to be an important facilitator of this capability.
"Electric Boat designs and shares the build of the Virginia class submarines for the US Navy and has been instrumental in driving down production costs to enable the US to increase the production rate of these submarines.
"I welcome the interest from US industry in supporting the Future Submarine project.
"Any US involvement in the Future Submarine would build on the relationships developed with Electric Boat and other US companies in support of the Collins class."
Mr Combet also discussed the ongoing arrangements between ASC and Electric Boat in support of the Collins class.
Editorial comment
One might wonder what Mr Combet sees in the US Virginia class (SSN 774) that is of interest to this country's future submarine force.
Displacing nearly 8,000 tonnes, powered by a nuclear reactor and with a crew of 134, design-wise it has little relevance to the Collins class and their likely successors, which displace 3,350 tonnes, are diesel-electric powered and have a crew of 58.
US industry has been involved in the upgrade of the Collins class due more to strategic relationships than superior systems.
It would be a pity if this government were to entirely eschew the advanced hull, propulsion and virtual system concepts of the European submarine industry.
