Australia has carried out its first live-fire test of locally manufactured Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) missiles at the Woomera Test Range, marking a key step in developing sovereign missile production capabilities. GMLRS is a precision surface-to-surface weapon that relies on inertial guidance to engage targets beyond 70 kilometers. The test forms part of an initiative to expand Australia’s domestic production network under the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Group, overseen by Lockheed Martin Australia.
The evaluation was conducted by the 14th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery using the M142 HIMARS, within the Australian Army’s long-range fires framework. Data collected from the demonstration will be used to validate system performance ahead of a planned certification flight test next year.
The findings will also support Australia’s future munitions programs, including the Precision Strike Missile and emerging hypersonic capabilities. Officials highlighted that the event represents the third HIMARS live-fire since the system entered service in March 2025.
The test follows Lockheed Martin’s launch of a dedicated GMLRS production facility in Port Wakefield, which is expected to expand output over time. This development is set to bolster Australia’s defense industrial capacity while contributing to the global supply chain for MLRS-class munitions.
