AW Bell graduates from Lockheed Martin Australia Mentor Protégé Program

Melbourne-based AW Bell has officially graduated from the Lockheed Martin Australia Mentor Protégé Program (MPP), a 12‑month initiative, designed to accelerate capability development for small‑to‑medium enterprises (SMEs). AW Bell has reached the final milestone, positioning the company for growth both domestically and internationally, according to Lockheed Martin Australia.

In June the company was named by Lockheed Martin Australia, along with US-owned Moog, as a local manufacturer of components for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) which will be assembled at a new facility in Port Wakefield, SA.

“As a key part of Australia’s industrial future, the MPP brings world‑class expertise to SMEs that are pivotal to our defence ecosystem,” said Toni Marzulli, Vice President Operations, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand. “AW Bell’s successful completion of the MPP demonstrates the company’s dedication to delivering a world-class advanced manufacturing capability in defence and aerospace.”

Christopher Hess, Head of Industrial Development at Lockheed Martin Australia highlighted the broader industry impact: “The Mentor Protégé Program is a flagship initiative that underpins Australia’s sovereign defence capabilities. AW Bell’s completion reinforces our commitment to nurturing domestic SMEs, ensuring they are equipped to compete for prime and subcontractor roles in both local and global supply chains.”

The MPP has already graduated three other Australian companies – Clearbox Systems, Silentium Defence, and Inovor Technologies – and will continue to identify high‑potential SMEs for future cohorts, says Lockheed Martin Australia. AW Bell’s participation in the MPP was sponsored by Lockheed Martin Australia’s Office of Australian Industrial Participation through the Global Supply Chain Program.

AW Bell is an Australian advanced manufacturing company that specialises in casting and supplies to the aerospace, defence, biomedical, mining and rail industries, both locally and internationally. In 2023, it became the first Australian investment casting foundry for titanium.