Lockheed Martin Australia's Sikorsky operations to be expanded at Nowra

That will mean the Nowra Sikorsky Australia operations will not only oversee the Royal Australian Navy's MH60 Romeo program but the Australian Army's Black Hawk Program as well.

A Lockheed Martin company, Sikorsky Australia will strengthen focus on the delivery of core defence business across the company's broad portfolio for the Australian Defence Force including the MH60 Romeo program, based at HMAS Albatross.

The company has announced it will close its Brisbane operations by January 31, 2020 and consolidate all activities to the AATP, west of Nowra, adjacent to Albatross.

That will mean the company's Black Hawk Program, performing sustainment activities for the Australian Army based at Brisbane, will transfer to a consolidated base in Nowra,

The Nowra operations will expand with the company set to recruit for a range of roles including aircraft maintainers, logistics support, finance, administration and security roles.

This move will impact the Brisbane workforce, with Lockheed Martin Australia saying it is committed to support employees through the consolidation process, including working with impacted employees to identify their options including Nowra and more broadly within the operations and programs of Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin Australia

"Lockheed Martin Australia is engaged in the integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services across space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in every mainland state and territory," said Lockheed Martin Australia Interim Chief Executive, Scott Thompson.

"Our diverse programs form a critical backbone for Australia's current and future defence capabilities including rotary wing systems and sustainment, next generation pilot training, combat systems integration and surveillance across air, sea, land and space domains.

"We have significant opportunities for growth across all of our Australian business and we will continue to deliver exceptional program performance and leading innovation for Australia."

During this period of consolidation, Lockheed Martin Australia will continue to work with employees, customers, suppliers to ensure a smooth transition to ensure continued program performance across our portfolio.

Lockheed Martin Australia is headquartered in Canberra, and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

The company employs more than 1000 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.

South Coast Register