SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Thursday June 6: Defence technology and innovation company, Lockheed Martin Australia in support of the Royal Australian Navy, is today announcing the successful ‘light off’ of the Aegis Combat System on HMAS Hobart, following her first docking at Garden Island, Sydney.

The Aegis system ‘light off’ marks the transition from the production period of the Post Delivery Upgrade (PDU) to combat system testing and training for HMAS Hobart. These comprehensive tests will ensure the combat system equipment is operational and the crew are ready to commence their next mission.

This is a significant announcement for Australia, as this is the first time an Aegis ‘light off’ activity has been planned, coordinated and delivered by an Australian led workforce.  This initiative exemplifies the concept of sustainable sovereign capability, with the local team drawing upon the global backbone for the expertise to deliver all work locally.

Lockheed Martin Australia led a dedicated team of more than 20 technicians from a range of local and international government and industry partners making Aegis operational on-board HMAS Hobart at Fleet Base East in Sydney.  HMAS Hobart is completing its PDU that includes a number of major upgrades to its capability in a number of areas.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment.  Achieving Aegis Light Off for the Royal Australian Navy is an important milestone which demonstrates HMAS Hobart is fully operational and ready to support Navy’s mission to maintain Australia’s maritime security,” said Scott Thompson, Interim Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand.

“At Lockheed Martin Australia, we are committed to the development of sovereign capability for Australia.  Through our national presence and partnerships with Government, the Royal Australian Navy, local and international industry, Lockheed Martin Australia is leading the establishment of a sustainable, world-class sovereign capability to support Australia’s future maritime defence technology needs”, continued Mr Thompson.

Lockheed Martin is the Original Equipment Manufacturer of Aegis, the world’s most advanced maritime warfighting capability that enables seamless interoperability with the fleets of key allies in the region including the US, Japan and the Republic of Korea.