Lockheed Martin backs successful MRGBAD capability demo with Australia and the US Navy

CANBERRA — July 29, 2026: Lockheed Martin, working with the Commonwealth of Australia and the U.S. Navy, supported a live-fire test of a developmental Medium Range Ground Based Air Defence (MRGBAD) prototype at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia, an event the company said demonstrated integrated air-defense functions across multiple systems during Taipan Strike 26.

The trial combined several elements: a CEA radar from the Australian Defence Force detected and tracked a representative threat; a virtualised Aegis Weapons System was deployed in a compact, expeditionary configuration to handle command-and-control; and Aegis initiated a mobile ground launcher to engage the target.

The activity drew on the Aegis baseline associated with the Hunter Class Frigate program and modernization of Hobart Class Destroyers, with the aim of advancing cross-service integration and interoperability while building on existing ADF investments.

“This demonstration showcased how existing systems can be integrated across domains and orchestrated across coalition partners to achieve mission success,” said Joe DePietro, Mission Integration Command and Control Vice President and General Manager at Lockheed Martin. “This prototype demonstration lays the groundwork for air defence modernisation, providing decision-makers with more time to respond and increasing the effectiveness of coordinated air and missile defence systems.”

“This live fire demonstration provides accelerated capability options to deliver a medium-range, ground-based air defence capability for the Australian Defence Force,” said Jeremy King, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand.

“This prototype system leverages existing weapons, launchers and command and control. It can fire any of the weapons currently fielded on the Hobart Class Destroyers or future Hunter Class Frigates.”

King added, “A medium range ground-based air defence platform will propel the ADF from point defence to a network integrated, medium range deterrent that will fundamentally enhance our operational flexibility, deterrence posture and coalition interoperability.”

The company said the event underscores its system-integration approach and points to air-defense options that could be tailored for different national and regional requirements. As Defence’s strategic partner on the AIR6500 Joint Air Battle Management System, Lockheed Martin Australia said it is prepared to fold future MRGBAD capabilities into the ADF’s integrated air and missile defense architecture.

Lockheed Martin Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation headquartered in Canberra, employs more than 1,800 people in Australia across programs spanning the aerospace, Defence and civil sectors.