Lockheed Martin’s research operations center in Australia is now known as Advanced Systems and Technologies.
The company said the transition from the old name — STELaRLab, short for Science, Technology, Engineering Leadership and Research Laboratory — will enable the facility to better meet the Australian Defence Force’s mission objective and capability development requirements.
AST advances research and development efforts on counter-hypersonics, hypersonics, autonomy, robotics, and command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. It operates in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, with support from 57 personnel.
The lab strengthens Australia’s defense and STEM-based workforce by collaborating with universities and providing scholarships, internships and graduate positions to qualified candidates across the country, the company added.
Warren McDonald, chief executive of Lockheed in Australia and New Zealand, said the R&D facility will enhance Australia’s industrial capability through partnerships with government, industry and academia. “Advanced Systems and Technologies will drive capabilities and translate innovative technologies into higher technology readiness levels that both demonstrate operational impact and meet the Australian Defence Forces’ most pressing needs,” he added.
Established in 2016, AST partners with the ADF and the innovation community to accelerate the development of sovereign capabilities and protect Australia’s national interests.