Lockheed Martin Launches Integration Phase for Australia’s Inaugural Aegis-Enabled Hobart-Class Destroyer

Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Test Team (ITT) initiates the integration and examination of the Aegis combat system aboard the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) inaugural Aegis-equipped Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), HOBART.
The evaluation of the Aegis Combat System will be conducted by engineers and technicians from Lockheed Martin, who are accountable for verifying that the equipment is properly installed and operational.
“The Lockheed Martin group has successfully activated Aegis,” stated Rob Milligan, Lockheed Martin Australia, surface ships program head. “Our team is committed to ensuring the successful deployment of HOBART’s Aegis capability to the Royal Australian Navy.”
Lockheed Martin foresaw the necessity for domestic Australian sustainment of Aegis on AWD several years ahead of this event. Lockheed Martin utilized internal resources to cultivate niche expertise in the Aegis Combat System for our Australian AWD Program personnel. “We enhanced the AWD testing team, which now comprises seasoned Lockheed Martin engineers and technicians from both Australia and the U.S. to execute the Aegis combat systems integration,” Milligan added.
The Hobart-class destroyers are being constructed under Australia’s SEA 4000 initiative, which aims to ultimately deliver three advanced multirole vessels. These vessels will be Australia’s initial ships outfitted with Lockheed Martin’s Aegis Weapon System, including the SPY-1D(V) radar. When combined with the MK 41 Vertical Launching System, Aegis can provide missile capabilities for various missions and threat scenarios in naval warfare. The RAN has adopted the Lockheed Martin Aegis Baseline 8 configuration, which incorporates commercial-off-the-shelf technology and an open architecture into the combat system.
“This achievement is a crucial step toward enhancing the Royal Australian Navy’s maritime security capabilities through the seamless incorporation of the Aegis combat system to defend against sophisticated air, surface, and subsurface threats,” declared Commodore Craig Bourke, CSC, RAN Program Manager for the Air Warfare Destroyer. “With over 100 Aegis-equipped vessels deployed globally, Australia is aligning with a coalition of allied nations that continue to advance innovation with adaptable and cost-effective capabilities that fulfill the warfighter’s multi-mission requirements.”
Lockheed Martin acts as the Aegis Combat Systems Integrator and engineering agent for the U.S. Navy Aegis destroyers and cruisers, Australian Air Warfare Destroyers, along with a variety of other international clients for both new construction and upgrades. Lockheed Martin also delivers combat system engineering, integration, and testing for the U.S. Navy’s future frigate and Freedom class Littoral Combat Ship programs.
After more than 40 years of substantial investment by the U.S. Navy and its allies, the Aegis Combat System is utilized globally by five navies, spanning seven ship classes. Lockheed Martin remains the trusted Aegis Combat Systems Integration ally to governments worldwide, ensuring mission-ready, combat-capable vessels are delivered affordably and on time to the fleet.