Local Adelaide partner Schach RF Pty Ltd to benefit from investment by Lockheed Martin Australia
In a move which reinforces Australia’s status as a provider of world leading radar technology, the United States Government has selected Lockheed Martin Australia to provide high frequency Over the Horizon Radar (OTHR) technology to one of its leading research bodies, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).
The technology is the result of a close partnership between Lockheed Martin Australia and Adelaide based high powered amplifier systems expert, Schach RF. Lockheed Martin Australia recognised the expertise of Schach RF in the design of innovative high power amplifier solutions. Together local Lockheed Martin Australia engineers worked closely with Schach RF to successfully engineer a world leading product which not only meets stringent performance requirements levied by NRL but also provides them with improved logistical convenience and deployment flexibility through modular design and standardisation practices.
The contract award will see Lockheed Martin Australia, and Schach RF provide next generation high power amplifier solutions to NRL over the coming years. This technology will allow the NRL to further their high frequency radar research program, which could have many potential applications, including the development of surface wave radar programs to detect and track air and surface targets.
Schach RF’s success was also fostered by the Australian Department of Defence, who through its Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group have invested in developing these types of technologies. With the Commonwealth’s focus on innovation, growth and jobs, Schach RF have moved rapidly from a design and prototyping house to a manufacturer of world-leading high power amplifier technology in this sector.
“At Lockheed Martin Australia, we know that investing in local small to medium enterprises, particularly those spearheading new research and developments, will transform our local and international industry,” said Jack Mahoney, Lockheed Martin Australia General Manager. This partnership gives us the opportunity to export home grown technology to the United States, confirming us as a world force in defence innovation.”
Chris Schach, Chief Executive at Schach RF outlined the importance of this contract. “Schach RF is delighted to be able to incorporate its leading-edge amplifier technology to address the NRL needs. Our on-going partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia to help further develop this technology and deliver it to both local and international customers demonstrates the value of local innovation which is competing and winning on a global scale.”
The successful delivery of this cutting-edge technology will allow these Amplifiers to be assessed for possible future use in broader OTHR applications globally in a market with the potential to expand significantly over the next 10 years.
For additional information, visit our website: http://www.lockheedmartin.com.au/jorn
About Lockheed Martin Australia
Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 800 people in Australia and New Zealand working on a wide range of major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.
