CANBERRA, 9 November 2023 – Lockheed Martin Australia has confirmed that leading small-to-medium passive surveillance technology company, Silentium Defence, has become the second Australian to company to graduate from the Lockheed Martin Mentor Protégé Program (MPP), bolstering the nation’s sovereign capability.

Silentium Defence follows in the footsteps of the inaugural international graduate, Clearbox Systems, as the second company outside of the United States (US) to complete the MPP.

Over an intensive 12-month mentoring period, Silentium Defence received guidance and support from Lockheed Martin’s foremost subject matter experts across the US and Australia, covering critical business areas such as ethics, contracting, quality, cyber security readiness and international regulatory compliance.

The MPP has armed Silentium Defence with the knowledge and tools necessary to accelerate its business growth, enhance its organisational maturity and contribute to the strength of Australia’s industrial defence capability. 

Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive, Warren McDonald, congratulated Silentium Defence on completing the MPP. 

“Silentium Defence is a valued industry partner to Lockheed Martin Australia and their advanced technologies play a crucial role as part of our AIR6500 solution and ‘Agile Shield’ improvised threat detection system," Mr McDonald said.

"The Mentor Protégé Program is a rigorous and extensive initiative, and we applaud Silentium Defence for becoming the program's second international industry graduate. Our commitment to Australia's sovereign defence capability remains unwavering, and the Mentor Protégé Program offers additional avenues to collaborate with local industry, enhance skills, create jobs, and increase access to global supply chains."

Silentium Defence's co-founder and Chief Experience Officer, Simon Palumbo, thanked Lockheed Martin and highlighted the invaluable access the business had been provided as part of the program. "As we execute our ten-year technology roadmap, integrating Silentium passive radars into the evolving doctrine of defence situational awareness, locally and globally, a deep understanding of scaling mechanisms, engagement, and export into priority international markets is crucial,” Mr Palumbo said.

"We are thankful for the support and guidance of Lockheed Martin Australia, with its more than 70 years of experience contributing to the security of Australia, and for the knowledge and relationships gained through the Mentor Protégé Program, which has already proven beneficial in accelerating our success.”

Lockheed Martin Australia's Head of Industrial Development, Christopher Hess, underlined Lockheed Martin Australia’s dedication to industry development and expressed a commitment to enabling more Australian companies to benefit from the MPP.

"Lockheed Martin invests significantly in enhancing the capabilities of innovative companies, as evidenced by Silentium Defence’s success,” said Mr Hess.

“Initiatives like the MPP will continue to upskill small-to-medium enterprises, ensuring their competitiveness on the global stage and fortifying Australia’s position as a hub for cutting-edge defence technologies.” 

Silentium’s participation in the Mentor Protégé Program was sponsored by Lockheed Martin Australia’s Office of Australian Industrial Participation through the Australian Government’s Global Supply Chain Program.

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About Lockheed Martin Australia

Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,200 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, Defence and civil sectors.

About the Mentor Protégé Program

Launched in the United States as a federal supplier development program in 1990, the Mentor Protégé Program enables Lockheed Martin to establish successful long-term relationships with eligible small, innovative businesses, while helping them to develop technical and business capabilities that will enable them to compete more effectively for future prime and subcontractor contracts in both local and global supply chains. 

For more information about Lockheed Martin’s Australian Industrial Participation programs, and supply chain opportunities, visit www.lockheedmartin.com.au

About Silentium Defence

Silentium Defence is a global leader in the design and deployment of complex passive radar systems for high-end customers. We provide the products and solutions that deliver improved situational awareness and increase survivability for Australia’s Defence Forces, its allies and civil surveillance customers. Our unique products allow customers to detect without compromise and act with confidence. To learn more visit https://www.silentiumdefence.com.au/

Media Contact Lockheed Martin Australia:

Jo Hon, Head of Communications Lockheed Martin Australia & New Zealand, +61 458 175 404

Media Contact Silentium Defence:

Kate Hines, Communications Manager, Silentium Defence, +61 413 070 925