Page 56 - Australian Defence Magazine April 2020

56 FROM THE SOURCE JOE NORTH CONTINUED FROM PAGE 55
ADM: How are you handling the workforce challenges around this program?
NORTH: This is a long program; we’re hiring, we’re upskilling and we’re working with the universities on capabilities that we want. To make sure that the future classes in the educa- tion system are graduating systems engineers and such. All that we have looked at with a very long-term approach and a very sovereign approach because that’s where it needs to be. The Naval Shipbuilding College has been doing some excel- lent work in this area (See P36 for more on the College).
You’ve got some very smart graduates coming out of the uni- versities that are helping us make sure that we stay up with the latest and greatest design tools. So credit to Australia where I think they’re probably one of the leaders in machine language learning and AI. CSI program lead Mike Oliver is utilising a digital model; it simplifies the cost, speeds things up, tracks data more efficiently and prevents version control issues. The technology is state of the art and benefitting generations of Australian engineers on a multigenerational program.
ADM: The global JSF fleet has now reached 500 aircraft with 250,000 flying hours; how is the Australian program bedding now with jets in country?
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NORTH: The RAAF is best placed to respond to that ques- tion, but the feedback that I am getting is that the roll- out of F-35 in Australia is ahead of plan in terms of the capability and training outcomes that are being achieved. From a Lockheed Martin perspective we have been closely partnering with the RAAF to establish F-35 capability in Australia, including the delivery of aircraft, technical sup- port, spares, information systems support, training systems and other elements including locally designed and manu- factured deployable F-35 ICT shelters.
LOCKHEED MARTIN