Forward focused South Australian company Airspeed is preparing to reach new heights

South Australian SME Airspeed is reaching new heights by joining Thales as part of a growing supply chain supporting the development of a new sovereign Defence capability. Airspeed are building on their impressive track record with defence and aerospace projects, as they look to the future with the global technology partner.

Having spent over $657 million on Australian manufacturers and suppliers in 2020, SMEs are a critical part of Thales’ Australian supply chains, with more than 1,500 local businesses making-up 82% of all Thales’s Australian suppliers in 2020.

With the 2020 Defence Strategic Update outlining the challenges in Australia’s strategic environment and their implications, it is evident that Australia needs to prioritise and develop local supply chains and defence capabilities. The acceleration of Guided Weapons activities  has echoed this sentiment, enabling Australia to develop and sustain an Australian hypersonic weapons capability. 

This acceleration will also see the growth in sovereign industrial capability and local supply chains, and it is estimated that the national enterprise could be worth $40 billion in local production and export capabilities within the next 20 years. 

Thales, a leader in the Australian Defence industry, is proud to be contributing to the development and delivery of the High-Speed Weapons capability through the Defence Science Technology Group (DST) Advanced Rocket Motor Technology Demonstrator (ARMTD) Program, and has teamed with local supply chain partners to provide specialist manufacturing and componentry. This program will be a demonstration of an advanced military-relevant rocket motor capable of hypersonic flight, manufactured by Australian industry.

“The decision to partner with a range of local SMEs for the ARMTD program was obvious, given the unique skills and experience each bring,” said Duncan Watt, General Manager of Guided Systems at Thales. “Leveraging Thales’ and DSTG’s expertise and long-standing collaborations with Australian manufacturers and suppliers  in areas of enabling High-Speed Weapons research has enabled us to maximise the skills and investment and stay ahead of the curve.” 

“Through our use of sovereign capability, we are proud to support a highly capable and resilient industry.”  

Airspeed has an impressive track record supporting Defence, previously undertaking a range of projects varying from the manufacture of aircraft equipment pods for Hawk and Super Hornets, as well as special purpose modifications and lightweight replacement structures for the Collins submarine fleet. 

Airspeed specialises in the application of composite materials. They design and manufacture high-tech, lightweight composite components which can be used across a number of applications. Combining their engineering design skills with composite manufacturing capabilities, Airspeed produces unique solutions for specialised defence requirements. They are currently engaged in the development of technical applications to support electronic warfare, drones, and rocket motors.

A close-knit team of twelve, Airspeed have a mix of design engineers, technicians and support staff, located in the north Adelaide region.

Airspeed have been acknowledged both technically and commercially on a global scale through the delivery of a variety of composites projects for international companies including the Replenishment At Sea (RAS) stump masts for warships, radomes for high speed drones, emerging Electronic Warfare pod applications and rocket motor casings using filament-wound carbon fibre to reduce structural mass and increase both the amount of propellant or payload that a flight vehicle can launch.

Building on these projects, Steve Barlow, Managing Director of Airspeed acknowledged that Airspeed brings unique capabilities to the ARMTD program. 

“Our relationship with Thales has been greatly beneficial. The partnership has provided Airspeed with the necessary background, reputation and commercial ability to prove our sovereign capability. These factors, which were previously inaccessible to Airspeed, will enable us to establish our prominence in the Australian Defence industry.”

Steve anticipates that the partnership with Thales will lead to more opportunities for his company. Utilising the relationship, Airspeed anticipates future growth in capacity and opportunities with the program as a sovereign capability. 

“We know we have the ability and want to compete commercially. As the proverb goes, if you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”, he says.

Contact Thales to find out more or discuss how you can partner with us to deliver Australia’s Sovereign Guided Weapons Enterprise program, contribute to local job creation, and secure Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities.

Find out more about Airspeed: https://airspeed.com.au/