Aerobond’s defence grant for guided weapons

Composites and metal manufacturer Aerobond has announced it has secured a federal government Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant for precision guided munitions, hypersonic weapons, and integrated air and missile defence systems.

The Adelaide company will match the federal funds, and has launched a $1.67 million expansion project to manufacture guided munitions and associated systems at scale, as opposed to prototyping and initial or low-rate production.

Managing Director Justin Struik said: “To be awarded this grant, is a prime opportunity for us to take the next steps in our journey to becoming Australia’s privately-owned Centre of Excellence for lightweight structural solutions and be able to accelerate our growth plans to support our Australian and International partners.”

The project will include procuring additional machining capability, providing additional coating capability through installation of additional, larger temperature-controlled paint booths and automated composite filament winding capability to support the defence industry.

The expansion is in addition to investment at its Adelaide airport facility underway to allow Aerobond to manufacture launch cannisters for Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile (NSM, pictured).

“We are making a significant commitment to the defence industry in Australia and are excited about the future of our organisation for our team and our clients.

“This new grant is going to strengthen our capability, innovation and value-add to the Commonwealth, which is an achievement we are very proud of.”

Picture: KONGBSERG Naval Strike Missile