We sustain the RAAF's fleet of 72 F-35A fighter jets. As a key partner in F-35 sustainment, we hold up to a 15% workshare in each aircraft, excluding propulsion systems.
The F-35 fleet is maintained and upgraded at our South Pacific Regional Sustainment Depot in Williamtown, near Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW). We manufacture titanium components for the vertical stabilisers of the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant of global F-35 aircraft in Adelaide, South Australia.
F-35 supply chain
The F-35 program is supported by a supply chain of more than 65 Australian businesses, including 37 small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).
We are committed to increasing engagement with local business and actively engage with SMEs based in NSW’s Hunter Valley region.
Aircraft maintenance careers
We have over 150 F-35 technicians who work alongside Air Force and Lockheed Martin colleagues at both the RAAF Base Williamtown and the BAE Systems South Pacific Regional Sustainment Depot at Williamtown. By 2028, the F-35 Program is projected to directly employ over 400 jobs in Australia.
Working on one of the most advanced aircraft in the world, our technicians have completed intensive training to acquire a range of complex technical skills. The team’s expertise will be utilised to train future employees as capability and capacity increase.
We're creating a capability pipeline to engage, inspire, develop and recruit the next generation workforce to ensure the people and facilities in the Hunter Valley region are continually developed.
We support organisations and activities that encourage young people to study STEM and provide early career opportunities such as work experience, internships, apprenticeships and graduate roles.
Episode Five: Sky-high - 100 years and counting
Since 1919, Australian aviation has come a long away – we now see unmanned aircraft in the sky and some of the most advanced jets in the world flying at speeds of almost 2,000 km per hour.