The agreement responds to Department of War requirements for reliable and cost-effective hypersonic systems that can be manufactured at scale. The companies said the partnership is designed to accelerate development schedules and support higher production rates.
Lockheed Martin will contribute its systems integration and engineering capabilities to the effort. Albany will provide composite technologies and manufacturing capacity for advanced structures used in future hypersonic programs.
The agreement establishes defined roles and cost responsibilities for both companies. Its structure is also designed to allow the partners to respond to changing program requirements and government directives.
“By pairing our experience in system integration and battle-ready engineering with Albany’s cutting-edge composite production, we are accelerating the delivery of critical technologies to bolster the Arsenal of Freedom and strengthen our defense industrial base,” Johnathon Caldwell, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems said. The partnership is focused on opportunities as U.S. hypersonic weapons programs move toward full-rate production.
“The future of hypersonics depends on more than breakthrough design – it requires the ability to manufacture advanced composite structures at unprecedented scale,” Chris Stone, president of Albany Engineered Composites said. “This partnership combines Lockheed Martin’s proven architecture with Albany’s advanced composite technologies and agile manufacturing capabilities to deliver a low-risk solution with the speed and quality the Department of War requires.”
The partnership places manufacturing capacity alongside systems integration in the companies’ approach to future U.S. hypersonic programs. Lockheed Martin and Albany said the collaboration is intended to support faster delivery while strengthening the U.S. defense industrial base.
