The groundbreaking coincides with a new framework agreement between Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Department of War to significantly expand interceptor production. Under the agreement, annual production capacity for Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors will increase from 96 to 400 units per year.
James Taiclet, CEO of @LockheedMartin, on their part in the Golden Dome program. pic.twitter.com/vqwGba08iV
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The new facility supports broader efforts to strengthen the United States’ layered missile defense architecture and builds on a partnership announced earlier this month to accelerate PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor output. It represents the second “first of its kind” framework agreement signed between Lockheed Martin and the Department of War.
THAAD is currently deployed at strategic locations in the United States and abroad and has demonstrated effectiveness in recent real-world operations against short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Its hit-to-kill capability allows engagement of threats both inside and outside the atmosphere, providing full-spectrum defense against evolving missile threats.
Lockheed Martin plans a multibillion-dollar investment over the next three years to expand production and modernize more than 20 facilities across Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts and Texas. The THAAD program already spans more than 340,000 square feet of production space and employs over 2,000 personnel supporting manufacturing from component fabrication to final assembly.
“We are committed to further building on the Department of War’s vision for advancing acquisition reform with additional framework agreements for the critical munitions needed by the U.S. military and our allies. Today’s agreement to quadruple THAAD production means we will have more interceptors available than ever before to deter our adversaries,” said Jim Taiclet, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin.
The agreement is part of the Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy, described as the most significant overhaul of U.S. defense procurement in decades. Lockheed Martin said global demand for its offensive and defensive systems continues to rise, driven by proven battlefield performance and the need for speed, precision and scalable solutions.
