Lockheed Martin Australia’s priority is to deliver capabilities that meet customer specifications and requirements, cater for the demands of the 21st Century security warfighter, and ultimately support the ADF’s ability to achieve Australia’s national security objectives.
These capabilities need to be proven, accessible, interchangeable and align with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) objectives under the Guided Weapons and Explosives Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise. The Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) was selected for these reasons – GMLRS are combat-proven, versatile and the primary round for Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
Under the Guided Weapons Production Capability Risk Reduction Activity contract, Lockheed Martin Australia will commence manufacturing missiles in Australia in 2025. Manufacturing GMLRS in Australia will provide a mechanism for swift knowledge and technology transfer and serve as a risk mitigator and pathfinder to future manufacture of guided weapons in Australia.
GMLRS are a trusted precision strike capability that will enhance the integrated and focused ADF and its ability to deliver on the National Defence Strategy. With more than two decades of proven combat reliability, and 75,000+ military sales worldwide, this weapon system remains a reliable 21st Century capability to shape, deter and respond to complex threats.
Credit: US Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alyssa Chuluda
Combat-Proven Capability
GMLRS are the primary round for HIMARS, the combat proven Multiple Launch Rocket System that the ADF has acquired, and will receive initial delivery of in 2025. Each pod on the HIMARS launcher is capable of carrying up to six GMLRS rockets.
Known for its exceptional accuracy and versatility in various missions, GMLRS is available in two variants. The unitary warhead tackles point targets, while the alternative warhead is designed for area targets, leaving no unexploded ordnance behind. Its precision and reliability decrease the number of rockets required to neutralize land-based targets.
“Lockheed Martin has built over 75,000 GMLRS, so knows the capability very well and can build an Australian supply chain to work to US standards”, said James Heading, Director of Programs, Strategic Capabilities Office, Missiles and Fire Control, Lockheed Martin.
“GMLRS will be manufactured to the rigorous US standards and Australia will be looking to export, so the GMLRS need to be US compatible and interchangeable.”
Partnering for Production
Strategic partnerships with Government, Defence, academia and industry are key to the successful delivery of the Government’s objectives under the GWEO Enterprise and important to the accelerated delivery of a sovereign GMLRS capability for the ADF.
Lockheed Martin’s partnership with the Australian Government to establish GMLRS production in Australia will create local jobs and enhance regional security.
“We plan to transfer the same advanced technology and service delivery as in many of our US advanced weapon factories – accelerating the development of advanced guided weapon manufacturing capabilities in Australia,” said Heading.
The collaboration will build supply chain resilience through local manufacture of guided weapons, and further strengthen Australia’s national defence industrial base, which in turn will accelerate capability delivery to the ADF.
Connected and Evolving
Lockheed Martin continues to modernise and enhance launcher and munition capabilities to help customers stay ahead of emerging threats. Munitions like GMLRS are evolving to support army modernisation and cross-domain solutions that can operate in highly contested environments.
The Extended-Range variant, ER GMLRS, has also entered into production and doubles the current rocket's range from 70km to 150km for increased flexibility.
“GMLRS has a well-established supply chain, worldwide demand and a sufficient level of complexity to commence high levels of production within a few years, but also establishes an industrial foundation in Australia to progress to the next level of complex guided weapons like the ER-GMLRS and the Precision Strike Missile,” said Heading.
Lockheed Martin is also developing technologies to further enable offensive and defensive systems in contested environments. Recent testing events have shown integration of existing technologies for prompt, data-driven decisions across operational domains.
Lockheed Martin continuously modernise and enhance launcher and munition capabilities as part of a 21st Century Security vision, assisting customers to stay ahead of emerging threats.