Lockheed Martin Australia has strengthened its guided-weapons production base by awarding a contract to Moog Australia for the development of the Control Actuation System (CAS) used in the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). The CAS is a core subsystem responsible for steering precision and flight stabilization throughout the missile’s trajectory. The agreement positions Moog Australia as a key technology partner in establishing an enduring domestic missile-manufacturing capability. Under the terms of the contract, Moog Australia will prepare engineering plans for a localized pilot production line dedicated to the GMLRS CAS and work with Australian suppliers to produce key mechanical and electronic components. This collaboration aims to enhance sovereign industrial capability, create local jobs, and reduce logistical and program-supply risks associated with overseas dependencies. Drawing upon technical expertise from its US parent company — Moog Inc., a global leader in motion-control and aerospace systems — the Australian subsidiary will also facilitate the transfer of critical design and manufacturing knowledge to domestic engineers. The GMLRS is one of the principal precision-strike munitions deployed from the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), a capability that has gained international recognition for its effectiveness in modern conflicts such as Ukraine. With a range exceeding 70 kilometres, the rocket system offers high accuracy, rapid reload times, and strong battlefield survivability. The contract follows a A$37.4 million (US $24.3 million) framework agreement signed between the Australian government and Lockheed Martin in 2024, establishing a pathway for local GMLRS production beginning this year. Thales Australia has been designated the prime supplier for rocket motors and explosive warheads, further integrating domestic partners into the national Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise. Over time, Australia intends to scale up production to as many as 4,000 missiles annually, representing more than a quarter of global GMLRS output and exceeding the Australian Defence Force’s current demand tenfold. The partnership between Lockheed Martin and Moog Australia therefore underpins Canberra’s long-term objective of achieving sovereign guided-weapon capability, while strengthening its alliance-based supply chains and export potential across the Indo-Pacific region.
