In partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Lockheed Martin Australia marks two decades of sustaining the AN-TPS-77-based Tactical Air Defence Radar System (TADRS), a capability that underpins the nation’s ground based air and missile defence.
“We have built a highly responsive and technically proficient team at Williamtown that has consistently adapted to the evolving needs of the ADF,” Lockheed Martin Australia, Rotary and Mission Systems, Director International Strategy & Business Development, Philip Gordon, said.
“The lessons learned from sustaining the legacy TADRS will be carried forward into the air battle management enterprise, ensuring a seamless transition to future air defence platforms and a stronger, more integrated defence capability for Australia.”
Over the last 20 years, the TADRS has delivered more than 150,000 hours of operational service, enabling the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to detect, track and counter airborne threats in real time across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
As part of the sustainment effort in the Hunter region, Lockheed Martin Australia has forged key industry partnerships with Daronmont Technologies, Varley Group, R&R Murphy, AFL Telecom and Rojone. These collaborations drive continuous hardware and software upgrades, advanced systems integration, and technology enhancements that keep the radar dependable, secure and mission-ready.
To align with the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) priorities to field agile, layered air and missile defences, Lockheed Martin Australia has re-designed elements of the TADRS to reduce its operational footprint, improve safety, increase mobility and accelerate rapid deployment.
As part of this ongoing evolution Lockheed Martin Australia delivered five new command and control systems to support the ADF’s ground-based battle management during Talisman Sabre 2025, and upgraded the TADRS with integrated voice-communication technology for international deployments.
“I commend the Royal Australian Air Force and industry on this remarkable milestone. It is a testament to the enduring partnership between the ADF and our industry partners," Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand, Jeremy King, indicated.
“TADRS has been a mainstay of Australia's security operations. For 20 years, the joint team has proudly sustained the ‘eyes’ of Australia’s ground-based air defence, working together to deliver the capabilities Australia needs to respond to advancing air and missile threats.”