EAST SALE, Australia, 26 August 2024 – Lockheed Martin Australia has selected Martin-Baker Australia to deliver ejection seat training to ensure Australian Defence Force pilots are equipped with critical emergency response skills during flight missions.

As Defence’s partner for delivering the AIR5428 Phase 1 Pilot Training System, Lockheed Martin Australia conducted a rigorous selection and evaluation tender process for ejection seat survival training services for the PC-21 trainer aircraft.

Martin-Baker Australia was chosen as the lead candidate based on their exceptional safety track record, value for money for Defence, customer responsiveness, and extensive experience in delivering cutting-edge aircrew safety capability.

Under this contract, Martin-Baker Australia will deliver a comprehensive aeronautical life support and survival training program across four training locations: Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. Annually, Martin-Baker Australia will conduct up to 40 training courses for Navy, Army and Air Force pilots, as well as refresher courses for instructors.

Training commences in the classroom, where pilots learn about key aviation survival training principals. Once theory is complete, pilots undertake immersive hands-on training in operating emergency equipment including, ejection seats, parachutes and survival kits to ensure that they are fully prepared when an emergency arises.

Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Program Director Global Training Systems, Peter Ashworth congratulated Martin-Baker on the contract award.

“Lockheed Martin Australia is delighted to partner with Martin-Baker Australia, a company that manufactures elite fully integrated escape systems that provide pilots across the globe a vital added layer of safety.”

“Integrating the aeronautical life support and survival training program into the core of the Pilot Training System contract, ensures the world’s most experienced ejection seat manufacturer is front and centre in delivering aircrew safety training to Australian Defence Force pilots.” Ashworth added, “This partnership also reduces cost, commercial and administrative layers for all partners.”

Martin-Baker Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Eden said, “Proudly, Martin-Baker ejection seats have saved the lives of over 7,726 aviators since the first ejection in 1949. We are deeply committed to saving those who put their lives on the line to protect Australia.”

“We look forward to working hand-in-hand with Lockheed Martin Australia and Defence to provide Australia’s Defence Force pilots with essential ejection seat survival training as part of the AIR5428 Pilot Training System.”

About Lockheed Martin Australia

Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,600 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

About Martin-Baker Australia

Martin-Baker is the world's longest established and most experienced manufacturer of ejection seats. The Company has also developed a range of crashworthy and crash-attenuating seats for helicopters and fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft. Martin-Baker Australia provides world-class MRO&U, training and support to customers in the region with locations in Newcastle, Perth and East Sale. Martin-Baker ejection seats are fitted to F-35AF/A-18F, AEA-18G, Hawkand PC-21 aircraft. Martin-Baker crashworthy seats are fitted to P-8A and EC-135 HATS, CH-47 Chinook, UH-60M and AW-139 EMS helicopters. Backed by 79 years of experience, Martin-Baker has saved over 7,726 aircrew lives in 93 Air Forces around the World.

Martin-Baker Australia Media Contact:

Andrew Eden, +61 497 003 595, aeden@martin-baker.com