Lockheed Martin Commences Industrial Partnership in the Philippines

Lockheed Martin and Southern Methodist University Partner for Philippine Workforce Development and Technological Advancement

Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Southern Methodist University (SMU), is set to establish a world-class research lab and training space in the Philippines as part of its industrial collaboration package for the Multi-Role Fighter program. This partnership aims to drive digital innovation, intellectual property creation, and workforce development, with a focus on enhancing the country's research and development capacity in digital modeling, simulations, augmented reality, robotics, automation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) [1][2][3].

Dr. Ben Zoghi, Associate Dean at SMU, stated that this partnership is an investment in the Filipino workforce, with the aim of creating a pipeline of highly skilled professionals for both defense and civilian sectors [1]. The initiative will provide access to advanced tools, training facilities, and funding for academic programs and business incubation. It will also involve collaboration with major Philippine universities and companies to develop new capabilities and intellectual properties, thereby enhancing local talent competence [1][2][4].

The partnership will significantly boost the Philippines' academia and industry, supporting economic growth and global industrial competitiveness. By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through business incubation and government initiatives, the program drives economic prosperity. The partnership leverages technology transfer to enable Filipino professionals and industries to develop innovative solutions and prototypes applicable across multiple sectors, supporting broader economic competitiveness [2][4].

Jess Koloini, Lockheed Martin F-16 Business Development, stated that the partnership will support the country's Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) and create a lasting impact on the Filipino workforce, driving economic growth and prosperity. The research lab and training space will enable Filipino professionals to develop innovative solutions and prototypes that can be applied in various industries [5].

The collaboration enhances the Philippines’ R&D capacity with cutting-edge technologies such as AI, automation, robotics, and immersive digital environments. This strengthens the country’s SRDP strategy by enhancing indigenous technological capabilities relevant to modern defense systems, particularly aligned with Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 fighter proposal [1][3][5].

In summary, this partnership represents a strategic move by Lockheed Martin to embed advanced technological innovation within Philippine academia and industry, with the potential for a lasting impact on workforce skills, economic development, and defense technology self-sufficiency [5].

References: [1] Lockheed Martin Press Release. (2021, March 1). Lockheed Martin and Southern Methodist University Collaborate on the Philippines' Multi-Role Fighter Program. [online] Available at: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/press-releases/2021/march/lockheed-martin-and-southern-methodist-university-collaborate-on-the-philippines-multi-role-fighter-program.html

[2] BusinessWorld. (2021, March 1). Lockheed Martin, SMU partner for digital innovation, workforce development in PH. [online] Available at: https://www.bworldonline.com/lockheed-martin-smu-partner-for-digital-innovation-workforce-development-in-ph/

[3] Rappler. (2021, March 1). Lockheed Martin, SMU partner for digital innovation, workforce development in PH. [online] Available at: https://www.rappler.com/business/677452-lockheed-martin-smu-partner-for-digital-innovation-workforce-development-in-ph

[4] Philippine Daily Inquirer. (2021, March 1). Lockheed Martin, SMU partner for digital innovation, workforce development in PH. [online] Available at: https://business.inquirer.net/321066/lockheed-martin-smu-partner-for-digital-innovation-workforce-development-in-ph

[5] Manila Bulletin. (2021, March 1). Lockheed Martin, SMU partner for digital innovation, workforce development in PH. [online] Available at: https://business.mb.com.ph/2021/03/01/lockheed-martin-smu-partner-for-digital-innovation-workforce-development-in-ph/