Robust supply chain underpins Lockheed Martin success

Around 30 suppliers came together at the Tank Museum in Dorset for Lockheed Martin’s exclusive Warrior CSP event – a real celebratory moment that demonstrated the collaboration and partnership which is taking the programme from strength to strength.

“This is a really exciting and critical time for Lockheed Martin,” said Mark Farrell, Warrior CSP Supply Chain Lead at Lockheed Martin.

Critical to success

In March, the programme team performed a successful Manned Fire-on-the-Move, the next stage in this important British Army programme.  The platform is now certified for live firing and the MOD crews will soon start to add to the hundreds of CT40 and thousands of chain gun rounds already fired by the Lockheed Martin team. “The Lockheed Martin Warrior CSP supply chain is critical to the success of the programme and we take that responsibility extremely seriously,” said Paul Chaplin, MD of supplier Axis Electronics.

Lockheed Martin UK has now commenced Reliability Growth Trials and is pushing on to its next major programme milestone of 20 Battlefield Missions. “This is when we’ll really be able to demonstrate that we have a product and capability which is reliable and absolutely performs,” said Farrell. “Our programme continues to go from strength to strength and together we continue to achieve all programme milestones. Our success is underpinned by our robust and capable supply chain. We have invested in fostering relationships with our suppliers, moving from a typical customer/supplier relationship to a more collaborative partnership – this has paid dividends. We have every confidence in our supply chain and their commitment to the programme”

Chaplin said his company’s relationship with Lockheed Martin had now matured to a point where they can consult them for advice on a range of business challenges. 

Invaluable support

“Their advice and support is invaluable to our organisation,” he said. “Working alongside the world’s largest Defence Prime has enabled Axis to develop in areas such as cyber security; with Lockheed Martin’s support we have now achieved our Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. I think it’s a very exciting time for Warrior CSP, and for supply-chain partners such as ourselves. It’s a critical milestone as we enter RGT and a real opportunity for us to prove that our product works.”