Australian Defence Magazine Podcast

Avalon Update with Sikorsky Australia & Lockheed Martin Space


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In the next of our Avalon 2025 episodes, Grant McHerron talks initially with Cliff Kyle, General Manager of Sikorsky Australia, and then he catches up with Rod Drury, Vice President International with Lockheed Martin Space.

Cliff steps us through his career with Navy and then industry, before discussing Sikorsky Australia's work to sustain the current MH-60R Romeo fleet of 23 along with the 13 new helicopters Navy has ordered. We also look at the importance of keeping and growing their workforce, their work assisting with the new MH-60M Blackhawks Army are introducing, and also their ability to share workforce between the Romeo and Blackhawk projects. We wrap up with a look towards the future for sustainment of the rotary fleet.

We talk with Rod about Lockheed Martin's involvement with space capabilities, the Government's deferral of the JP9102 project, and the broad variety of customer requirements they work with globally. We also discuss managing the large volumes of data being generated in space, changes in the space environment, and the issues with increasingly crowded orbits. We then move on to Lockheed Martin's global supply chain, balancing the need for iteration & innovation against engineering processes for safety and mission completion, partnerships with local industry and academia, and the importance of growing Australian workforce talent.

Links:

Sikorsky Australia

www.lockheedmartin.com/en-au/sikorsky-australia-aircraft.html

Lockheed Martin Space

www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/space.html

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The ADM Podcast is produced by Southern Skies Media on behalf of Australian Defence Magazine, a Yaffa Media title (www.australiandefence.com.au).

The views of the people appearing on this podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Australian Defence Magazine, the Department of Defence or the guests' employer.

If you wish to use any of this podcast's audio, please contact Australian Defence Magazine via their website www.australiandefence.com.au or email them via [email protected] to get involved.

ADM Podcasts are a blend of public interest journalism and sponsored content with a focus on the Defence community. Conversations with leaders and thinkers from a range of backgrounds including academia, Defence, industry, and associations. ADM Podcasts aims to educate, explain and explore some of the bigger issues around Defence.

For sponsored content opportunities, please contact ADM Associate Publisher Kylie Leonard and/or National Sales Manager Michael Flanagan.


Hosted by Grant McHerron

Producer: Steve Visscher

Australian Defence Magazine - © 2025

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