Defence technology and innovation company, Lockheed Martin Australia, has welcomed delivery of the first two F-35 deployable facilities manufactured by Tomago-based Varley Group.
The facilities were delivered as part of the Facility / Deployable ICT Facility Mission System at a ceremony on 5 March 2018 at Varley Headquarters.
The two deployable facilities, the first of 29 to be manufactured by Varley Gourp over a three-year contract, represent a key milestone in the delivery of capabilities critical to the operation and sustainment of Australia’s F-35A fleet.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at Varley Groups Australian headquarters, Lockheed Martin Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Vince Di Pietro AM said the completion of the first deployable facilities by Varley Group was a further reinforcement of Lockheed Martin Australia’s critical role in delivering an end-to-end sustainment solution for Australia’s advanced F-35 capability.
“As fifth generation technology design pioneers, Lockheed Martin is uniquely placed to understand and meet the sustainment requirements of the worlds most advanced fighter aircraft; the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter,” Vince said.
“The RAAF deployable facilities will play a critical role in supporting operations and maintenance activities for the F-35 aircraft; predictive prognostic and mission support requirements in the realisation of a truly networked and integrated Defence Force.”
Varley Group Managing Director, Jeff Phillips said the Varley Group and Lockheed Martin Australia had delivered the facilities on time, and they were Australian built out of Australian steel and using Australian workers from the Hunter region.
“Without Lockheed Martin Australia’s investment in the Australian defence industry and, more importantly, in Varley Group, 20 direct Varley jobs, including two apprentices and another 50 localjobs downstream in the supply chain, would’ve been lost to the Hunter region,” Jeff said.
“The Hunter is on the verge of a defence jobs and defence export boom. With supporters like Lockheed Martin, the Federal and NSW Government, RDA Hunter, HunterNet and Newcastle University, I believe this region can become the nation’s primary JSF advanced manufacturing hub.”
IMAGE |Varley Group Managing Director, Jeff Phillips with two of Varley Group’s apprentices.
