Lockheed Martin Australia has confirmed that small-to-medium passive surveillance technology company, Silentium Defence, has become the second Australian to company to graduate from the Lockheed Martin Mentor Protégé Program (MPP).
Silentium Defence follows in the footsteps of the inaugural international graduate, Clearbox Systems, as the second company outside of the United States (US) to complete the MPP.
“Silentium Defence is a valued industry partner to Lockheed Martin Australia and their advanced technologies play a crucial role as part of our Air 6500 solution and ‘Agile Shield’ improvised threat detection system," said Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive, Warren McDonald.
"The Mentor Protégé Program is a rigorous and extensive initiative, and we applaud Silentium Defence for becoming the program's second international industry graduate. Our commitment to Australia's sovereign defence capability remains unwavering, and the Mentor Protégé Program offers additional avenues to collaborate with local industry, enhance skills, create jobs, and increase access to global supply chains."
Over a 12-month mentoring period, Silentium Defence received guidance and support from Lockheed Martin’s subject matter experts across the US and Australia, covering areas of ethics, contracting, quality, cyber security readiness and international regulatory compliance.
"As we execute our ten-year technology roadmap, integrating Silentium passive radars into the evolving doctrine of defence situational awareness, locally and globally, a deep understanding of scaling mechanisms, engagement, and export into priority international markets is crucial,” said Silentium Defence's co-founder and Chief Experience Officer, Simon Palumbo.
"We are thankful for the support and guidance of Lockheed Martin Australia, with its more than 70 years of experience contributing to the security of Australia, and for the knowledge and relationships gained through the Mentor Protégé Program, which has already proven beneficial in accelerating our success.”
Silentium’s participation in the Mentor Protégé Program was sponsored by Lockheed Martin Australia’s Office of Australian Industrial Participation through the Australian Government’s Global Supply Chain Program.