A.W. Bell wins new Northrop Grumman global weapons contract

Precision metal engineer A.W. Bell has won a contract to provide its titanium casting capability for Northrop Grumman’s Global Supply Chain Program. This non-recurring engineering contract has potential applications for Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) program and helps to expand Australia’s own guided weapon and explosive ordnance (GWEO) manufacturing capabilities. A.W. Bell…

iLaunch space advanced manufacturing facility opens

The University of South Australia (UniSA) today opened a brand-new Advanced Manufacturing facility and revealed industry investment in four space research projects under the iLAuNCH Trailblazer programme. The projects have attracted over $18 million in cash funding from space relented companies SMR Automotive Australia, VPG Innovation, Northrop Grumman and Spiral Blue. The SA Deputy Premier…

Quickstep restructures its aerospace structures business

Aerospace composites manufacturer Quickstep is to restructure its businesses in response to a slower pace of orders for F-35 fighter jet components through FY25/FY26, cutting manufacturing shifts and staff numbers at its Bankstown headquarters facility in Sydney. The company, which is becoming increasingly involved in drone manufacture as well as maintenance and sustainment activities, will…

Quickstep sees aerospace orders out to FY29

Composites manufacturer Quickstep expects to receive purchase orders for the ongoing production of aerospace components from customers Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Marand by the end of July 2024. The company, in an update for investors, said that over the coming months production was transitioning to the next phase of multi-year orders under long-term agreements…

RAAF readying to receive first MQ-4C Triton

The first of four MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) will soon arrive in Australia, following certification in the United States. According to a statement from Defence on Thursday, AUS 1 completed the first leg of its ‘ferrying flight’ on February 16 followed by final testing, fit-out and certification by the US Navy at…

EOS demonstrates counter drone capabilities in the US

EOS Defense Systems USA has participated in the US Army’s Project Convergence Capstone 4 (PC-C4) at the Army’s National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. The subsidiary of Electro Optic Systems Limited demonstrated the capabilities of an R600 Remote Weapon Station (pictured) equipped with a Northrop Grumman M230LF cannon, coaxial machine gun, and four Javelin…