WILLIAMTOWN, NSW, 8 JULY 2026 – In partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, Lockheed Martin Australia marks two decades of sustaining the AN-TPS‑77‑based Tactical Air Defence Radar System (TADRS), a critical capability that underpins the nation’s ground based air and missile defence. 

Over the last 20 years, the TADRS has delivered more than 150,000 hours of operational service, enabling the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to detect, track and counter airborne threats in real time across the Indo‑Pacific and beyond.

As part of the sustainment effort in the Hunter region, Lockheed Martin Australia has grown a regional industrial base of over 65 highly skilled individuals, worked with over 170 regional suppliers, and forged key industry partnerships with Daronmont Technologies, Varley Group, R&R Murphy, AFL Telecom and Rojone. These collaborations drive continuous hardware and software upgrades, advanced systems integration, and technology enhancements that keep the radar dependable, secure and mission-ready.

To align with the ADFs priorities to field agile, layered air and missile defences, Lockheed Martin Australia has re-designed elements of the TADRS to reduce its operational footprint, improve safety, increase mobility and accelerate rapid deployment. As part of this ongoing evolution Lockheed Martin Australia delivered five new command and control systems to support the ADF’s ground‑based battle management during Talisman Sabre 2025, and upgraded the TADRS with integrated voice‑communication technology for international deployments.

These achievements are underpinned by a focused technology‑transfer program from Lockheed Martin Corporation, which has brought cutting‑edge radar technology, expertise and production know‑how into the Australian industrial base, securing long‑term capability and local industry growth.

“We have built a highly responsive and technically proficient team at Williamtown that has consistently adapted to the evolving needs of the ADF,” said Philip Gordon, Director International Strategy & Business Development, Rotary and Mission Systems, Lockheed Martin Australia.

“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, “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.”

“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.”

About Lockheed Martin Australia

Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,900 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, Defence and civil sectors.

Lockheed Martin Australia Media Contact: 

Stacey Ward, +61 439 369 305, stacey.l.ward@global.lmco.com