South Africa
Arms Production for Israel in South Africa.
Rheinmetall operates a South African subsidiary – Rheinmetall Denel Munitions. While the multinational parent company Rheinmetall is developing a 155mm howitzer with Elbit Systems (NB customers for this include the German and potentially the UK and Hungarian governments), Rheinmetall Denel specialises in 155mm artillery ammunition. It is not yet clear whether this ammunition will be used in the co-produced howitzer.
Australia
The Australian Government committed to join the global F-35 program in 2002. Australian industry has been involved in the production of the F-35 since 2006 (see p7). Australia’s integration into the F-35 global supply chain means that every jet that flies, including the F-35A used by the Israeli Air Force during the bombardment of Gaza, contains many components manufactured in Australia. In all, the Australian Defence Department says more than 70 Australian companies have been awarded “over $4.13 billion in global production and sustainment contracts through the F-35 program to date”.
Australia has issued 322 defence export permits to Israel since January 2017, including 52 export permits to Israel in 2023, according to the Australian Department of Defence (source). Its main exports are products and components that fit into broader global supply chains for weapons and weapons systems.
This Defense News article (and this) (also this) imply that every F-35 in the global fleet will be updated with information gained from operations undertaken by any State in the fleet, potentially meaning all F-35s globally might be updated with information learned from Israel’s use of F-35s in Gaza.
The Australian Government are giving Industry Support Program Sustainment Grants for companies to develop capabilities for the Joint Strike Fighter Program
The Australian F-35 Supply Chain
KEY PARTICIPANTS
ASDAM is Australia’s largest supplier to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program. An Australian advanced manufacturing and sustainment company, it provides end-to-end capability across design, engineering, manufacturing, assembly and sustainment. The group includes four subsidiaries: Marand, TAE Aerospace, Levett Engineering and Rosebank Engineering. (See their profiles following below.)
ASDAM’s role is to provide continued access to capital and resources to build and grow Australian sovereign industrial capability. It is majority-owned by funds managed by CPE Capital.
ASDAM’s members service a number of defence and non-defence programs, and have long term relationships with governments, defence prime contractors and other industrial customers. Customers include Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Honeywell, Pratt & Whitney and BHP.
Combined, the four companies comprising ASDAM have 20 locations across Australia and the US and approx 1,000 employees.
Headquarters (Marand’s address): 153 Keys Rd, Moorabbin, VIC, 3189. +61 (0)3 8552 0600
One of the most successful Australian companies in the F-35 supply chain, receiving about one third of the Australian contracts in the program. Marand designed and manufactures the F-35’s engine removal and installation trailer and is recognised globally as its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
The company also has a long-term agreement with BAE Systems for the manufacture of the aircraft’s vertical tails, one of the largest planned manufacturing projects for the F-35 in Australia (Source, 2014).
In 2016 Marand also won the detailed design and manufacture contract for the Engine/Lift Fan Removal and Installation Trainer (ELFRIT), and the company also supplies tooling to BAE Systems in the UK and four other F-35 partner nations.
Marand has nine Australian companies directly involved in its F-35 program supply chain, with several others enabling its manufacturing efforts. Marand is part of ASDAM.
Headquarters: 153 Keys Rd, Moorabbin, VIC, 3189. +61 (0)3 8552 0600
Provides aerospace manufacturing and aluminium vacuum brazing capabilities to support parts and component manufacture for the global F-35 fleet. The company established an in-house aluminium vacuum brazing design capability allowing it to move further up the supply chain (Source: Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018; TAE website)
In addition, TAE supports other companies, including Levett Engineering in its work supplying engine parts to Pratt & Whitney for the F135 engine, and Harris Corporation and Northrop Grumman for various vacuum-brazed components.
Significantly, TAE Aerospace now provides a complete repair, overhaul and test facility for military aircraft, including all F-35s operating in the Asia-Pacific (source: company website). The company’s F135 maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) facility in Ipswich, Queensland is the first operational F135 engine depot in the Asia-Pacific region. In July 2021 the TAE facility achieved Initial Depot Capability (IDC) for the repair of F-35 engine fan and power modules for all three variants in the F-35 fleet. (Source: Pratt & Whitney, July 2021; Defence brochure 2023) TAE’s Ipswich facility is designed to meet the more complex needs of the F-35 while continuing maintenance and repair work on the engines of other aircraft. (Source: TAE website) TAE Aerospace is part of ASDAM.
In 2023, Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies), was awarded a $5.2bn contract
to produce the 15th and 16th batches of F135 engines to power the F-35
Lightning II fighter aircraft, working alongside with its Australian
partner, TAE Aerospace, to open a F135 Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul and
Upgrade (MRO&U) facility, or depot, in Australia which became the first operational F135 engine depot in the Asia-Pacific region.
4 main sites in Australia. Headquarters: 1 Jet Place, Bundamba (Ipswich) QLD 4304 +61 (0)7 3813 6800
Precision component manufacturer, primarily for aerospace, specialising in titanium and alloy machining. Manufactures numerous components for airframes, mission systems and engines. Levett began the F-35 program delivering straightforward engine components such as tubes and vane covers. It expanded the number of components and their complexity and now manufactures fracture critical engine components and a broader range of airframe, mission systems and vehicle systems components. Levett also grew its avionics sub-assembly manufacturing capabilities to include sub-assembly integration and test in high-value niche product lines, including the active inceptor and avionics components in the F-35 program. Levett supplies Pratt & Whitney, BAE Systems, Australian Department of Defence, Northrop Grumman, and Harris Corporation. (Source: Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018) Levett is part of ASDAM.
Headquarters: Lionsgate Park, 180 Philip Hwy, Elizabeth South, SA, 5112. +61 (0)8 8287 2144.
ROSEBANK ENGINEERING (formerly RUAG Australia) started its involvement in the F-35 program in 2004 with the manufacture of 30 components for the weapons bay door drive system uplocks.
Rosebank’s participation in the program has since expanded significantly. It produces and sustains airframe components and actuation systems, and manages sustainment of engine and fuel components. (Source: Defence brochure 2023)
Rosebank is a sole source supplier to the F-35 program providing over 150 components for the landing gear and weapons bay systems on all three variants. Its uplock actuator system opens and closes the weapons bay doors in seconds enabling the aircraft to drop its payload of munitions quickly to maintain its stealth capacity.
In 2014, Rosebank opened a metal processing and finishing facility in Wingfield (northern Adelaide) to treat and finish the F-35 vertical tail components manufactured by Marand for BAE Systems. These components require specialised capabilities and can only be processed at the Wingfield facility. (Source: Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018; ABC, 2013)
In October 2023, Rosebank announced the activation of its F-35 Wheels & Brakes Repair Depot at Bayswater in Melbourne. Operating under sub-contract to prime contractor Lockheed Martin, Rosebank is the preferred component maintenance, repair, overhaul & upgrade (CMRO&U) assignee on five repair technology groups (RTGs) of the F-35 platform for the Indo-Pacific region. Rosebank is part of ASDAM. 5 locations in Australia.
Headquarters: 836 Mountain Hwy, Bayswater, VIC 3153. +61 (0)3 9721 1300
Voice recognition software for F-35 aircraft (Sources: Adacel 2004 MR; article 2007; Defence graphic, 2015, p57; Defence graphic, 2017).
Australian head office: Level 4, Suite 31, 150 Albert Rd, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, +61 (0)3 8530 7777 Australian media enquiries: Sally McDow +61 (0)420 213 035
Involved in the F-35 program since 2007. It supplies casting and machining of three components of the chassis assembly to Northrop Grumman for the F-35’s ElectroOptical Distributed Aperture System (EODAS). The company also produces 19 different components for Marand for the F-35’s complex engine removal and installation trailer, which are precision-machined castings in a range of materials. It is also the sole approved casting supplier of F-35 flare magazines worldwide. Key customers include: Northrop Grumman Corporation, BAE Systems Australia, Marand, Levett, Pratt & Whitney, Lockheed Martin (all F-35 program). (Source: Defence brochure 2018)
Headquarters: 145 Abbotts Road, Dandenong South, VIC 3175, Australia. +61 (0)3 9799 9555
[company name: Nu Metric Manufacturing Pty Ltd ]
Contracted through BAE Systems to manufacture parts used in the vertical tail of the F-35. Axiom says it has delivered parts aligned to critical deadlines since 2015 at a high conformance and production rate. The components consist of four semi-finished and four finished parts that follow multiple operations, as well as different surface treatments and painting specifications. [Source: Axiom case study.]
Headquarters: 13-19 Johansson Road, Wingfield, SA, 5013, Australia.+61 (0)8 8349 9000
One of the largest defence contractors in Australia and a key supplier to the F-35 program. Its UK parent, BAE Systems plc, is one of Lockheed Martin’s principal partners in the design, build and maintenance of the F-35. BAE Systems holds about 13-15 per cent work share globally of each F-35 aircraft. As the principal partner in the F-35 Program in Australia, BAE Systems Australia supports numerous Australian companies in the industry supply chain. It produces titanium components for the F-35 vertical tails and is also responsible for producing wiring boards and assemblies, cable assemblies, and selected electronic and communication components and other components.
23 locations across Australia,
Headquarters: 1 Taranaki Road, Edinburgh Parks, Edinburgh, SA, 5111 +61 (0)8 8480 8888
Specialises in custom cables and electrical assemblies. For the F-35, the company provides semi-rigid radio frequency cables that enable communication between the radar and other elements of the F-35's avionics [Source, 2004]. Defence’s F-35 Australian industry participation charts (2017 and 2018) list Cablex as a supplier of ejection seat wiring, harnesses, radar, EW components and TPS development
Cablex received a three-year (2018-2021) $275,000 Australian government grant “to enable the manufacture in Australia of electrical assemblies for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Ejection Seat”. [Source].
Headquarters: 63-69 Fairbank Rd, Clayton South, VIC, 3169, +61 (0)3 9575 3088
CALYTRIX TECHNOLOGIES
Australian company providing specialist production, training and simulation studies. Also involved in ongoing simulation-supported training services in collaboration w Lockheed Martin. [Source: Defence graphic, 2017; Source 2: note Titan info; Source 3: LM media release; Defence brochure 2023)
**Note: If Calytrix was a partner with Lockheed in the design and production of the F-35 training simulators, this article contains a paragraph stating that those simulators have been used by the Israeli Defence Force for training.**
Two locations in Australia; and Orlando, Florida
Headquarters: Level 8, 109 St Georges Tce, Perth, WA, 6000. +61 (0)8 9226 4288
USA: Suite 320, 12612 Challenger Pkwy, Orlando, Florida 32826, USA
Specialises in the production and delivery of countermeasure (decoy) flares. Its main manufacturing plant in Lara, Victoria is boasted as the world's most advanced countermeasures manufacturing facility and was said by Chemring in its submission to the 2016 JSF Senate inquiry to be “the worldwide second source for the manufacture of the JSF MJU68 countermeasure”.
Headquarters: 230 Staceys Road, Lara, VIC, 3212 +61 (0)3 5220 8500
DICKINSON’S METALLURGICAL SUPPLIES:
Provides raw materials supply to its industry partners for the F-35 program (Source: Defence Graphic 2023).
Headquarters: 12 - 13 Warrior Place, St Marys NSW, 2760. Phone +61 (0)2 9833 3899
A purpose-built processing and surface coating facility. It was acquired by Lovitt Technologies in 2013 to guarantee local supply of crucial wet processing and painting services. Electromold has worked on the F-35 program since early in the program’s inception in Australia. [Sources: website and submission to JSF Inquiry]
Headquarters: 202 Holt Parade, Thomastown, VIC, 3074. +61 (0)3 9464 0922
Every F-35 flying worldwide contains weapons adapters produced by Ferra Engineering (source). The company is the sole global provider of the Alternate Mission Equipment (AME) weapon adapters. In delivering this product, Ferra undertakes complex supply chain management and sub-assembly.
Ferra also designs, manufactures and assembles approximately 100 other parts for the F-35 fleet on long term contracts including complex mechanical assemblies. The parts are supplied either directly to Lockheed Martin or through other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for on-sale to Lockheed Martin. (Source: Ferra submission to 2016 JSF Australian Senate inquiry.)
Ferra’s growth via the F-35 and other military aerospace program contracts means the company’s supply chain now includes more than 30 Australian-based companies. Ferra supplies the world’s largest military aerospace companies including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Airbus and Raytheon.
Headquarters: 344 New Cleveland Rd, Tingalpa QLD 4173. +61 (0)7 3907 9800
G&O KERT
Supplies avionics racks and components for the F-35 program (Source: Defence Graphic 2023). Industry partners include Ferra Engineering.
Headquarters: 50 Achievement Crescent, Acacia Ridge, QLD, 4110. Phone (07) 3216 7474
HARGO ENGINEERING:
Provides
component manufacturing services to the aerospace, defence, automotive
and medical industries, across Australia and around the world.
Provides weapons components (Source: Defence Graphic 2023: About).
Headquarters: 103-115 Merrindale Drive, Croydon, Victoria. Phone (03) 9761 5110.
HEAT TREATMENT AUSTRALIA (HTA)
One of Australia’s leading heat treatment and thermal processing specialists. The company pioneered innovative processes for the F-35 program including a vacuum processing technique with high pressure gas quenching for the F-35’s landing gear components and new aluminium vacuum brazing (AVB) processes. HTA’s processes helped plug capability gaps and increase capacity in titanium processing, vacuum carburising, inert argon and nitrogen processing, nickel alloy and super-alloy processing and 25 bar materials cooling technology. The company’s support of RUAG, AW Bell, Lovitt Technologies, Marand, Ferra Engineering and Levett Engineering has contributed significantly to Australia’s success in the F-35 Program.
3 locations in Australia, and one in the US.
Headquarters: 32 Gay Street, Coopers Plains, QLD 4108, +61 (0)7 3170 0300
Founded in Hobart in 1955, HIFraser is part of the Australian owned HIFraser Group, a combination of specialised engineering, manufacturing & instrumentation businesses. It produces and maintains niche safety critical gas and liquid systems and supplies ongoing repair and overhaul of ground support equipment. For the F-35, HIFraser has partnered with Lockheed Martin in the repair of air-to-air refuelling valves and fuel metering pumps, which allow the JSF to refuel in midair. The company is working on components for every JSF that comes off the assembly line, not only those of the RAAF. (Source: Manly Daily). HIFraser is also partnering Lockheed Martin locally in the ongoing repair and overhaul of ground support equipment. (Source 1 and Source 2)
5 facilities across Australia.
Headquarters: 6/5 Vuko Place, Warriewood, NSW, 2102. +61 (0)2 9970 7322
Supplies specialised production tooling to support the manufacture of metallic and composite components and aero structures, including the F-35, together with the machining of composite and metallic components. (Source: Hofmann; Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018) Hofmann has contracted to BAE Systems in Australia and the UK for the F-35 program.
Headquarters: 3 Alice Street, Bassendean, WA, 6054, +61 (0)8 9279 5522
Training programs for pilots and maintainers for the F-35 program from 2005 as part of the Northrop Grumman-managed global training and courseware development capability. KBR has continued as a courseware developer, sequencing pilot and maintainer courses for the Israeli and Australian trade groups.
As the F-35 Program has matured, the number of organisations providing courseware has reduced, with KBR Australia now providing F-35 training programs globally. (Source: Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018; Defence graphic 2023) KBR Australia’s technical team also developed a virtual reality prototype to support higher capacity training of F-35 support crew.
6 locations in Australia Headquarters: Level 4/11 Lancaster Place, Majura Park, ACT, 2609, Australia. +61 (0)2 6102 2600
L3 MICREO (formally Micreo Limited)
Micreo, an Australian electronic warfare subsystems provider, was purchased by L3 Harris in 2016. A market leader in the design and production of radio frequency and photonic products for radar and electronic warfare. L3 Micreo’s radar components are installed in several of the world’s frontline military aircraft and ships, including the F-35. (Source; Defence F-35 brochure, 2018)
Headquarters: 7 Hi-Tech Court, Brisbane Technology Park, Eight Mile Plains, QLD 4113
Using a patented high vacuum deposition process, Lintek manufactures a variety of printed circuit boards, ranging from 1.8-meter long antennas to sub miniature transmitters, using various substrates, for the phased array radar and electronic warfare systems of the F-35 program. (Source: company website; APDR 26.2.20
Headquarters: 20 Bayldon Road, Queanbeyan, NSW, 2620. +61 (0)2 6299 1988
Wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, the F-35’s prime contractor.
Multiple locations around Australia.
Headquarters: 8 Brisbane Avenue, Barton, ACT, 2600. +61 (0)2 6150 6500
A leader in the manufacture of complex, precision engineered, structural components and assemblies for military aerospace platforms including the F-35. It specialises in aluminium and titanium components as well as chemical processing (through its subsidiary Electromold; see above). Lovitt supports a number of F-35-related activities for companies including Levett Engineering, Ferra Engineering, Marand, Quickstep, HTA, Varley and AW Bell. (Sources: company website and Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018)
Headquarters: 207 Para Road, Greensborough, VIC, 3088 +61 (0)3 9431 7300
Signed a 7-year agreement with Pratt & Whitney in April 2019 to produce five components for the F-35 engines, including brackets, clamps, tubes and adaptors. The contract saw Nupress’ role on the F-35 expanded, as the company already supplied F-35 canopy slings to the Varley Group. (Source: ADBR, 8.4.19)
Headquarters: 11 Nelson Road, Canurprrdiff, NSW, 2285. +61 (0)2 4903 9300
Now a subsidiary of Leonardo Australia, developed and delivers avionics test program sets (TPS) to support the F-35 program. (Source: Defence graphic, 2017) 5 Locations throughout Australia.
Headquarters: 1 Garadi Street, Yerriyong, NSW, 2540, Australia +61 (0)2 4422 2700
PROGNOSTICS AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT (PHM) TECHNOLOGY
Engine prognostics & health management software for the F-35 radar system. (Source: Defence graphic 2023)
Headquarters: 9/120 Queens Parade, North Fitzroy, VIC, 3068. +61 1300 948 505
QINETIQ AUSTRALIA
A
subsidiary of British arms company QinetiQ. Delivering training support
to the Australian Defence Force on platforms such as the F-35.
Headquarters:
Level 1, North Tower 6, Brindabella Circuit, Brindabella Business Park,
Canberra Airport, ACT, 2609. Phone +61 02 6200 2600
Every F-35 made has Quickstep components as part of the aircraft (source: Quickstep submission to JSF inquiry). The company is Australia’s largest independent aerospace-grade advanced composite manufacturer. (Sources: company website; Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018) For the F-35 program, Quickstep is a key supplier to Northrop Grumman, providing 21 components for the F-35’s fuselage, including doors, panels and skins. It also supplies Marand Precision Engineering with parts for the F-35 vertical tail, including skins, spars and fairings. The final tail assembly is exported to BAE Systems by Marand. (Source: company website)
In December 2020, Quickstep delivered its 10,000th F-35 component, noting it was manufacturing more than 50 individual components and assemblies for Northrop Grumman, Marand and BAE Systems under the program. [Source: company media release.] The 10,000 part milestone represented approx $250 million in company revenue over the preceding seven years. Based on forecast aircraft production volumes, at then current supply rates, Quickstep said it was 20% of the way through the F-35 program.
Quickstep first became involved in the F-35 program in 2009, signing its first major agreement with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to manufacture F-35 composite doors and panels. Quickstep also signed an MOU with Marand and BAE Systems the same year. In 2014, Quickstep signed a long term agreement with Marand to produce composite parts for 700 sets of F-35 vertical tails. Quickstep delivered the first parts under this agreement in the latter half of 2015.
3 facilities in Australia; also Dallas, USA.
Headquarters: 361 Milperra Rd, Bankstown Aerodrome (Western Sydney), NSW, 2200.
+61 (0)2 9774 0300
RFD AUSTRALIA
Australian division of Survitec, a larger company which has 11 manufacturing facilities and over 400 service centres, spanning 96 countries. Its Australian subsidiary, specialises in the supply and service of survival technology to the maritime, defence and government, aerospace, and energy sectors worldwide, including each F-35 pilot with Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE). Headquarters: 2 Burilda Close, Wetherill Park, New South Wales, 2164, Australia. Phone +61 (0)3 9532 1822
Joint
venture between Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH (51%) and NIOA (49%).
produces and exports ammunition for the F-35 JSF program. Produces 25mm
Frangible Armour Piercing (FAP) projectiles at the federal government
owned Benalla plant in Victoria (Source: Media Release: Press Release).
Australian-owned NIOA is the leading supplier of weapons and munitions
to the Australian Defence Force and Rheinmetall Waffe Munitions is a
global multinational weapons manufacturer.
Headquarters: 52 Industrial Avenue, Maryborough, West Queensland, 4650. Phone +61 7 43 678 500.
ROCKWELL COLLINS AUSTRALIA
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Collins Aerospace, a US subsidiary of the RTX corporation (formerly Raytheon Technologies). Manufactures the electro-optical (EO) assembly from the AAQ-37 Distributed Aperture System for the F-35. 8 locations in Australia. Headquarters: 8/12 Mars Rd Lane Cove West, New South Wales, 2066. Phone +61 (0)2 9886 8888.
Flight specialists who produce precision gear components and control systems including for the F-35 Engine Removal and Installation Mobility Trailer, which was designed and developed by Melbourne-based Marand Precision Engineering. Clients including, BAE Systems, Marand, and Ferra Engineering.
Headquarters: 18 Teton Court, Highett, Victoria, 3190. +61 3 9276 8900
TR CALIBRATION
Specialises
in the calibration and repair of test and measurement equipment and
instruments within Australia. TR Calibration is part of TR Group,
Australia’s leading provider of technology solutions. Its customers
include Raytheon Australia, Australian Defence Force, New Zealand
Defence Force, Boeing Defence Australia, Airbus, BAE Systems, Lockheed
Martin.
Headquarters: 41 Enterprise Cct, Prestons, NSW, 2170. Phone +61 1300 790 480.
Involved in the F-35 program from 2003 during the System Development and Demonstration phase. The company has since been given numerous contracts to deliver specialised F-35 aircraft ground support equipment for all three F-35 variants. Varley works with both Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman on the program. It designed and manufactures the landing gear handling system and canopy maintenance sling assembly for Lockheed Martin, achieving the status of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) for these items. In 2008, Varley was also contracted by LM to design and develop a field use variant of the landing gear handling system in addition to the original variant used at military bases. In 2015, Varley signed a long term agreement with Lockheed Martin. For Northrop Grumman, from 2005, Varley designed and has manufactured the F-35’s aircraft maintenance sling. (Source: Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018)
In March 2023, marking Varley’s 20-year partnership with Lockheed Martin, Varley noted it has produced 27 deployable duty facilities and 7 deployable ICT Facilities totalling more than $21 million in Lockheed Martin supplier contracts for the JSF program. (Source: Lockheed media release).
9 facilities around Australia. Headquarters: 21 School Drive, Tomago (Newcastle), NSW, 2322. +61 (0)2 4964 0400
OTHER PARTICIPANTS (minor or otherwise unlikely involved beyond Australia)
A
provider of Asset Integrity Management, Non Destructive Testing (NDT),
Mechanical / Corrosion Testing, Welding Tech Services. Provides testing
support for the F-35 program.
Headquarters: Unit 3/146-148 Williams Rd, Dandenong South, VIC, 3175. Phone +61 0(3) 9791 1118
APPLIED FASTENERS AND TOOLING
Supply
and support of quality fasteners and assembly tooling consumables to
various industries worldwide. Customers include BAE Systems, Lockheed
Martin, Australian Defence Department, Thales, Boeing, Airbus, and more.
Headquarters: 317/198 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, Victoria, 3008. Phone +61 0(3) 9939 8979
Specialises in testing, inspection and certification.
Headquarters: Multiple locations across Australia. Phone +61 (0) 3 9922 0700.
CAE AUSTRALIA: Defence lists CAE as having been involved in production and training studies for the JSF (Source: Defence graphic 2023). Despite it being a major supplier of training to the RAAF, I found no evidence that CAE Australia is involved in actual F-35 training. Other companies noted in this document have been named as providing F-35 training locally (Lockheed Martin, Milskil, KBR).
Headquarters CAE: Building A, Campus Business Park, 350 Parramatta Road, Homebush NSW Australia 2140. +61-2-9748-4844. Offices also in Brisbane and Canberra.
CAE Sale Military Training Centre: 17 Wellington Park Way, Sale, Victoria 3850, Australia
CALM ALUMINIUM
Provides metal materials for the F-35 program.
Headquarters: 28 Saggart Field Rd, Minto, NSW, 2566. Phone +61 (0)2 9603 6486
CGB PRECISION PRODUCTS
Provides bearings and related components for the Defence and Aerospace Industry.
Headquarters: Unit 9, 32 Silkwood Rise Carrum Downs, Victoria, 3201. Phone +613 9775 1125.
Specialises in metal alloys and ingots. Supplies materials for the F-35 program (Source: Defence Graphic 2023).
Headquarters; New Zealand. Australian Site: 106 Mileham St, South Windsor, NSW 2756. Phone +61 2 9627 7150
ISCAR AUSTRALIA
Supplies
precision carbide metalworking tools. They produce a range of carbide
inserts, carbide endmills, and cutting tools, covering most metal
cutting applications (Source: About).
Headquarters: 30 Brookhollow Avenue, Norwest, NSW, 2153. Phone 02 8848 3500
Subsidiary of British firm Martin Baker which specialises in the design and manufacture of ejection seats and related equipment. Work in Australia on F-35 program includes maintenance, repair and overhaul of ejector seats for local/regional F-35s. In 2016 the company was named as partner to BAE Systems Australia to work on repairs of F-35 life support systems, including the onboard oxygen generator and the ejection seat assembly.
Headquarters: 1 Technology Place, Building F1:01, Williamtown, NSW, 2318 +61 1800 235 328
Provides training development and delivery, including aircrew training instruction for the F-35A. It was selected in early 2018 to provide support training services for the RAAF F-35 program in close partnership with Lockheed Martin Australia.
In 2020, Milskil teamed with Lockheed Martin Australia in a 3-year, $67m Defence contract to deliver F-35 training services including pilot instructors, maintenance instructors, courseware developers, training device technicians and IT support at RAAF Williamtown (NSW) and RAAF Tindal (NT). The contract included operation and maintenance support for six F-35A full mission simulators at Williamtown. Plans for four more simulators at RAAF Base Tindal in 2021 were also included in the support arrangements. (Source: ADBR, December 2020; Lockheed media release, December 2020.)
Headquarters: Unit 2.01, Level 1, Building E, 1 Technology Place, Williamtown, NSW, 2318. +61 (0)2 4934 5555
MOGUS (FORMERLY BRENCO AEROSPACE)
global provider of surface coating and engineering processes. Australian supplier Brenco was acquired by Houston (US) based valve manufacturer MOGAS Industries in 2019. Headquarters: 63 Tacoma Circuit, Canning Vale, Perth, Western Australia, 6155. Phone +61 (0)8 9456.3533.
Produces the wing tip lenses for the F-35. Its Australian office is a support centre for its product.
Headquarters: 23 Ovata Dr, Tullamarine, VIC, 3043. +61 (0)3 9335 1557
Manufactures plating, engineering coatings and finishes for the F-35. (Source, ADM 15.6.16; Defence graphic, 2017)
Headquarters: 105 Lakemba Street, Belmore, NSW, 2192. +61 (0)2 9750 8011
Supplies its cutting tools to BAE Systems Australia and other JSF manufacturing companies. (Source: DMTC submission to JSF Senate Inquiry)
Headquarters: 378 Settlement Road, Thomastown, VIC, 3074. +61 (0)3 9280 0800
A subsidiary of Pelican Products specialising in protective packaging. It is the major case supplier to the Australian Defence Force. Provides storage containers for the F-35 program. (Source: Defence graphic, 2017)
Australian head office: 2 Forbes Close, Knoxfield, VIC, 3180 +61 (03) 9765 1500
Provides shipping containers and packaging for aerospace and defence companies. In 2021, Integra Packaging was renamed UBEECO. (Source: Defence graphic, 2017) 5 locations around Australia.
Headquarters: 28 Sarah Andrews Close, Erskine Park, NSW, 2759, +61 (0)2 9670 9800
Has utilised its design, metal shaping and fabrication expertise in a variety of defence based projects including the F-35 joint strike fighter. The company specialises in bespoke solutions for complex metal structures that require purpose shaping and bending for specific applications.
Headquarters: 63 Mark Anthony Drive, Dandenong South, VIC, 3175. +61 3 9771 4900
Involved in the F-35A’s airframe structural design and finite element (FE) analysis and testing (source: company video). It also partnered with BAE Systems to optimise machining efficiency (source: DMTC submission to JSF Senate Inquiry). 4 locations in Australia.
Headquarters: 279 Normanby Rd, Port Melbourne, VIC, 3207. +61 (0)3 9647 9700
WESTERN AUSTRALIA SPECIALTY ALLOYS (WASA):
Specialises in materials supply (titanium, nickel, aluminium and steel alloys) and supplies the master remelt alloy barstock for the PWA powder atomisation process used to produce critical components for the F-35. (Source: WA Defence Review, 2019, p99)
Customers include Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce and GE Aviation. Multiple locations around Australia. Headquarters: 2-4 Hopewell St, Canning Vale, WA, 6155. + 61 (0)8 9455 4111
THESE COMPANIES EITHER DO NOT SUPPLY THE PROGRAM, NO LONGER EXIST, OR HAVE LEFT AUSTRALIA
BROENS INDUSTRIES (acquired by Verseng Group)
BROENS NO LONGER EXISTS. Verseng acquired the business of the liquidated Broens in 2017. No evidence found that Verseng is involved in the F-35 program. It was not listed in the 2018 Defence F-35 brochure.
Broens had been one of the first Australian companies involved in the F-35 program, starting in 2004. It undertook a limited amount of work directly for Lockheed Martin, but most of its JSF work was through BAE Systems plc, including the manufacture of fixtures and composite tooling for the vertical tail. Broens also won an international multi-million dollar tender by Pratt & Whitney to design and manufacture the engine gearbox lift. In 2012, Broens was reported as manufacturing multiple units of the lift. It was expected that ultimately every JSF squadron globally would have one or more; an estimated global total of 150 lifts. (Sources: SLDinfo.com, 2012; Defence graphic, 2017; Verseng website)
Verseng headquarters: 6 Oldham Road, Elizabeth South, SA, 5112, +61 (0)8 8268 2562
GKN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING SERVICES
NO LONGER EXISTS IN AUSTRALIA employed a full range of capabilities in airframe structural analysis and design, electrical engineering and systems installation design and was central to the success of Australian industry involvement in the F-35 program.
In 2002, GKN AES decided to actively pursue work on the F-35 and was the first company to receive a contract in the program. In November 2003, it was awarded a contract by Northrop Grumman for 18 staff (nine based in the US) to support the design, analysis and manufacture of F-35 centre fuselage parts for 15 months. The contract expanded over the next three years peaking during 2006 with over 220 GKN AES designers and engineers being part of the F-35 program, of which more than 90 per cent were based in Australia.
The company worked for both Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman on all three variants of the F-35. It accumulated one million engineering hours designing some 3,000 distinct parts for the F-35 which amounted to 12 per cent of the airframe by part number.
In 2009, GKN’s engineering services activities were sold to an Indian engineering firm which decided to close the Australian operation. Even so, there remain a large number of Australian aerospace engineers with significantly enhanced experience spread throughout Australian industry and the aerospace industry globally. (Source: Defence F-35 industry brochure, 2018)
NO LONGER EXISTS Goodrich in Australia was in partnership with Rosebank Engineering (now RUAG Australia, see entry below) manufacturing components for the F-35. In addition to actuators for the landing gear and the weapons bay door drive system, other Goodrich content on the F-35 included the air data system, engine and fuel quantity sensors, and unique STOVL engine and airframe components. Goodrich Corporation went through several mergers and acquisitions and no longer exists.
NOTE: Norseld is not listed as an F-35 program supplier in Defence’s most recent supplier chart (2023). It may become a supplier in future, which seems to be its intention.
Traditionally a medical laser company, Norseld is now seeking growth by moving into supplying the military. It has worked with Defence via the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (now known as the Office of Defence Industry Support) to develop laser technology for the F-35. Norseld has reportedly secured a $1 million grant to invest in a new coating chamber to improve tools used in the development of Australia’s F-35 program. Headquarters: 18 Lowe St, Adelaide, SA, 5000. +61 (0)8 8231 9000
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