Lockheed Martin has appointed Steve Froelich as the vice president of rotary and mission systems operations for Australia and New Zealand, and program executive for AIR6500. He will be responsible for business performance and organizational transformation, and will join the local leadership team to build a foundation for future growth in the region.
A critical component of the future strategy will be leadership of Lockheed Martin’s efforts related to the AIR6500 program, which will provide an even greater level of capability and integration across the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This transformational capability will require a fifth-generation, multi-domain technical solution. It will also require a strong sovereign team with robust, trusted partnerships across multiple military services, large companies, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
“We are committed to putting the best people in front of this program and Mr. Froelich’s extensive experience spanning advanced multi-domain weapons systems, delivery of complex command and control programs, and proven ability to create a united vision for industry and defense primes, uniquely qualifies him for this role,” said Joe North, chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand. “We plan to adopt the successful approach taken for the Future Submarine Program, which provides a trusted defense partnership, a strong sovereign industry capability, and ready access to U.S. capabilities and experience.”
Froelich’s career spans 35 years of service with the military as a Surface Naval Officer and with industry. In his prior role, he led Lockheed Martin’s missile defense solutions, which included the Missile Defense Agency’s Command and Control Battle Management and Communications (C2MBC) program. This unique program leadership experience involved managing a team of large prime contractors to deliver one of the most advanced multi-domain command and control capabilities in the world.
C2BMC is operational at 33 locations in 17 time zones around the globe, integrating capabilities from the Missile Defense Agency, all branches of the U.S. military, international partners and allies. Froelich has also managed delivery of undersea sensing systems, and has extensive experience in command and control, the Aegis Combat System, and strike weapons for customers worldwide.
