SAN DIEGO – 01 March 2023 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Leidos have agreed to continue the successful business relationship previously held between GA-ASI and Cobham Australia. With Leidos’ acquisition of the Cobham Special Mission business in October 2022, Leidos has now assumed the role of GA-ASI’s primary Australian industry collaborator for defence and security business.
The arrangement will support discussions relating to a Defence Armed Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, and the Australian Border Force future crewed/uncrewed aircraft system under the Civil Maritime Capability Program.
Discussions are also underway between Leidos and GA-ASI for cooperation on further defence projects in Australia and opportunities in the U.S.
“GA-ASI is delighted to establish a collaboration agreement with Leidos that continues the successful business relationship previously held with Cobham since 2006,” said Ken Loving, GA-ASI regional vice president for Indo-Pacific. “The broader and deeper capabilities that Leidos brings to the relationship, including its impressive capability within Australia, combined with GA-ASI’s substantial global experience in remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft systems, will provide an impressive capability for Australia’s future defence and security needs.”
Leidos Australia Chief Executive Paul Chase said, “We are delighted to continue and build upon the terrific partnership that Cobham Special Mission has developed with GA-ASI over the past 17 years. When we acquired Special Mission last year, we recognised the huge potential for both advancing current capabilities and services and pursuing new opportunities in Australia and globally. General Atomics has excellent technology and by collaborating with them, our complementary capabilities and experience will combine to provide world-class solutions for current and future customers.”