newy.com.au – Lockheed Martin Australia has marked 20 years of sustaining the Tactical Air Defence Radar System at Williamtown, with the radar capability supporting more than 150,000 hours of operational service for Australia’s ground-based air and missile defence.
The AN-TPS-77-based Tactical Air Defence Radar System, known as TADRS, is sustained in partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force and is used by the Australian Defence Force to detect, track and counter airborne threats in real time across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
Lockheed Martin Australia said the sustainment work had helped build a regional industrial base in the Hunter, involving more than 65 highly skilled people and more than 170 regional suppliers. The company has also worked with industry partners including Daronmont Technologies, Varley Group, R&R Murphy, AFL Telecom and Rojone on hardware and software upgrades, systems integration and technology enhancements.
As the ADF moves towards more agile and layered air and missile defences, Lockheed Martin Australia said it had redesigned elements of TADRS to reduce its operational footprint, improve safety, increase mobility and support faster deployment. The company also delivered five new command and control systems to support the ADF’s ground-based battle management during Talisman Sabre 2025, and upgraded TADRS with integrated voice-communication technology for international deployments.
Lockheed Martin Australia said the work had been supported by a technology-transfer program from Lockheed Martin Corporation, bringing radar technology, expertise and production know-how into the Australian industrial base.
Philip Gordon, Director International Strategy & Business Development, Rotary and Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin Australia, said the Williamtown team had continued to adapt as Defence requirements changed.
“We have built a highly responsive and technically proficient team at Williamtown that has consistently adapted to the evolving needs of the ADF,” Mr Gordon said.
“The lessons learned from sustaining the legacy TADRS will be carried forward into the air battle management enterprise, ensuring a seamless transition to future air defence platforms and a stronger, more integrated defence capability for Australia.”
Jeremy King, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, said the milestone reflected a long-running partnership between Defence and industry.
“I commend the Royal Australian Air Force and industry on this remarkable milestone. It is a testament to the enduring partnership between the ADF and our industry partners,” Mr King said.
“TADRS has been a mainstay of Australia’s security operations. For 20 years, the joint team has proudly sustained the ‘eyes’ of Australia’s ground-based air defence, working together to deliver the capabilities Australia needs to respond to advancing air and missile threats.”
Lockheed Martin Australia is headquartered in Canberra and employs more than 1,900 people in Australia across aerospace, Defence and civil programs.
