AME shores up defence contract
An Ararat manufacturing company has continued a strong association with defence-force production after becoming one of only three companies globally certified to supply parts for a military surveillance aircraft.
Design and manufacturing business AME Systems is producing wire harnesses for American global aerospace and defence technology company Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton aircraft system.
The United States Navy uses the long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVS, as surveillance aircraft in its operations.
AME operations manager Dean Pinniger said the company’s certification to produce the wire harnesses would contribute to significant growth in the business.
“The requirements to build the product are far more technically demanding than the products we’ve built in the past, but we’re certainly equipped to supply these parts,” he said.
“Working with Northrop Grumman will mean there will be growth in the business and employment. It’s now really about having the staff numbers to support production orders and there’s a major opportunity for staff to gain additional skills.”
Mr Pinniger said the partnership positioned AME Systems to potentially supply a new level of technology to Northrop Grumman and the broader Australian defence industry.
“Achieving that certification standard has allowed us to be part of the Northrop Grumman global supply chain,” he said.
“The fact that we’re now accredited to supply to them means we have the opportunity to quote on various other projects they’re a part of.”
The deal comes after the company partnered with Boeing Australia to develop one of the first Australian military aircraft to be built in more than 50 years.
AME Systems was one of 35 Australian industry teams to help build the first prototype of Boeing’s Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force earlier this year.
“There’s a lot of pressure on the business now to deliver the Loyal Wingman in a shorter timeframe,” Mr Pinniger said.
“That will be about upskilling our workforce which also rolls on to further employment.”
Further partnerships
Mr Pinniger said the company’s growth meant it could seek further partnership deals.
“The strategic direction of the business – while continuing to look after our current customers – was to gain growth in defence and aerospace industries,” he said.
“We’ve got multiple multi-national companies working with us – that is a large opportunity and will support building the future of the business.”
AME Systems received certification to manufacture wire harnesses for Tritons in January and completed its first batch in February. Both the Royal Australian Air Force and US Navy will use the harnesses in production of the aircrafts.
Northrop Grumman chief executive Chris Deeble said manufacturing opportunities for AME Systems were significant, with the US Navy planning to acquire 68 operational Tritons and the Royal Australian Air Force six to seven.
“AME joins a growing number of Australian companies supplying components for the Triton system and we look forward to delivering the first Australian Triton, built with Australian-made components, in 2023,” he said.