Steve Roberton is an experienced fighter pilot and former senior RAAF officer. Photo: LMA.
Lockheed Martin has announced that former Royal Australian Air Force senior officer Steve ‘Zed’ Roberton will succeed Warren ‘Macca’ McDonald as Vice President and Regional Executive of its Australian and New Zealand operations.
Air Vice-Marshal (Ret’d) Roberton will take over from Air Marshal (Ret’d) McDonald on 1 December following a three-month period of transition, and will report to Lockheed Martin’s Vice President International Business, Lockheed Martin Global Business Development, Ray Piselli.
“Steve’s deep knowledge of our customers and their capability requirements will help us continue to strengthen these critical partnerships and ensure we are well positioned to deliver on our commitments,” Mr Piselli said.
“A career of distinguished service has earned Steve a reputation as a forward-thinking and highly effective leader, and I am confident he will continue to build on Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s success.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank Macca for his outstanding leadership over the past three years,” he added.
“During his tenure, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand has experienced significant growth and achievements including AIR6500 (Phase) 1, SouthPAN, its appointment as an Enterprise Strategic Partner to the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise [GWEO], and its confirmation as the preferred bidder for JP9102.”
Project AIR 6500 Phase 1 is the RAAF’s new Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS), SouthPAN is the Southern Positioning Augmentation Network that provides Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) services for Australia and New Zealand, and Project JP9102 is the Australian Defence Force’s new satellite communications (SATCOM) system.
Roberton is a former RAAF Category A fighter pilot with more than 3000 flight hours on the F/A-18A/B/C/D Classic Hornet and F/A-18F Super Hornet. He joined the RAAF in 1989 and graduated from flying training to commence Hornet conversion training in 1993.
He has flown an exchange tour with the US Marine Corps, flew the classic Hornet in Operation Falconer in Iraq, was Commanding Officer of No 75 Squadron, and led the Air Combat Transition Office (ACTO) which managed the transition from the F-111C to the Super Hornet and from the classic Hornet to the F-35A Lightning.
Outgoing Lockheed Martin Australia CE Warren McDonald (left) led a successful period for the company, including winning the AIR 6500 Phase 1 JABMS tender. Photo: LMA/Hilary Wardhaugh Photography.
He has commanded the RAAF’s Number 82 Wing, has completed the UK’s Higher Command and Staff College, and held the role as the RAAF’s Director General Aerospace Development (DGAD).
Roberton led the first deployment of the RAAF’s Australian Air Task Group 630 in the war against ISIS under Operation Okra in September 2014, and commanded Air Combat Group from January 2015.
He later held the role of Air Commander Australia (ACAUST) responsible for the operational capability of the RAAF, and as the Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force (VCDF) Group. Roberton retired from the RAAF in 2022.
“I am honoured to join Lockheed Martin and lead our efforts in Australia and New Zealand, markets that are strategically significant to our global operations,” Roberton said.
“Lockheed Martin has a long history of partnership in this region, and I look forward to continuing that legacy.
“My focus will be on working closely with our customers and partners to deliver and sustain the advanced capabilities Australia and New Zealand need to address the complex security challenges of today and tomorrow.”
