21st Century Security
Australia News Releases
CANBERRA, 1 July 2025 – Lockheed Martin Australia has appointed former Royal Australian Air Force Director General Integrated Air and Missile Defence, Air Commodore (Retd) Phil Gordon AM, as the new International Strategy & Business Development Director of Rotary and Missions Systems for Australia and New Zealand effective immediately.
Phil Gordon assumes the role from Kendell Kuczma, who was recently promoted to Program Director and General Manager of Rotary and Missions Systems for Australia and New Zealand. Phil will lead the regional strategy for Rotary and Mission Systems continued growth and business development across capabilities including command and control integrated systems, training and logistics solutions, integrated air and missile defence, radars, sensors, cyber, electronic warfare, helicopter sustainment and more.
With a career spanning over three decades of distinguished service in the Royal Australian Air Force, Phil Gordon is a proven business leader and ex-Air Force fighter pilot with a background in command, operations, training, and capability development.
On Australia Day 2018, Phil was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his command of the Air Task Group as part of Australia’s contribution to Operation Inherent Resolve. On Australia Day 2020, Phil was appointed Member (AM) in the Military Division of the Order of Australia for exceptional service in aerospace capability development, air combat preparedness and operations management and control for the Australian Defence Force.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive, Warren McDonald, said, “I congratulate Phil on his appointment. His career is marked by exemplary service and dedication, earning Phil a reputation as a highly progressive and effective leader.”
“I look forward to working with Phil to grow our sovereign Rotary and Missions Systems capability across Australia in support of the Australian Defence Force’s mission.”
Reflecting on his appointment, Phil Gordon said, “I am proud to be joining Lockheed Martin, where I can continue to serve national security with passion and integrity.”
“I have seen first-hand the remarkable capability that Lockheed Martin delivers and I am excited to help bring that to the war fighters.”
About Phil Gordon
Phil Gordon served 36 years in the Royal Australian Air Force. In that time, Phil held several senior leadership roles as an Air Commodore including: Commander Air Task Group 630 where he led the Air Task Group contributing strike, air to air refuelling, airborne and ground-based command and control, intelligence and targeting capabilities to the US led coalition under Operation INHERENT RESOLVE to liberate Iraq from Daesh; Director General Air encompassing air planning, command and control of air operations and major air exercises globally; Commander Air Warfare Centre; and Director General Air Defence and Space where he was responsible for synchronising over a dozen Air, Land, Sea and Joint projects for the ADF’s multi-billion dollar, multi-domain IAMD and Space Control programs.
Phil holds a bachelor’s degree in science from the Australian Defence Force Academy. Early in his career Phil undertook fast jet training graduating as an F/A-18A Hornet pilot. He flew and instructed on the F/A-18A, PC-9, Aermacchi MB326 and Hawk 127.
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.
Media Contact:
Stacey Ward, +61 439 369 305, stacey.l.ward@global.lmco.com