The new facility, expected to be completed in 2027, will cover approximately 225,000 square feet and include production space, office areas, and common areas for employees. The site will incorporate Lockheed Martin’s Intelligent Factory Framework, a digital system designed to enhance efficiency and provide real-time insights into manufacturing operations.
This expansion follows a $383 million contract modification awarded to Lockheed Martin for the continued development of the Trident II Strategic Weapons System (SWS) D5 missile, specifically the Trident II D5 Life Extension 2 (D5LE2) programme. The facility will play a key role in producing components for the next-generation missile, ensuring its continued reliability and effectiveness.
The construction of this site is expected to generate up to 300 new jobs, further strengthening Lockheed Martin’s presence in Florida and contributing to the state’s economy. The company currently operates 74 facilities across Florida, employing more than 16,000 people and working with over 1,000 suppliers.
Johnathon Caldwell, vice president and general manager of Strategic & Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin, highlighted the facility’s long-term importance. “We are designing agility into this facility from the start so it can grow, adapt, and remain relevant for decades,” he stated.
Jerry Mamrol, vice president of Fleet Ballistic Missiles at Lockheed Martin, emphasised the strategic value of the new facility. “This facility will support the Navy, and the nation, for the next 60 years,” he explained, underscoring the importance of sustaining the U.S. Navy’s nuclear deterrence capability.
The Trident II D5 missile, developed and upgraded by Lockheed Martin, is currently deployed aboard U.S. OHIO-class and U.K. VANGUARD-class submarines. The upgraded D5LE2 version will be integrated into the future COLUMBIA-class submarines, ensuring the continued viability of the U.S. Navy’s most survivable leg of the nuclear triad.
Florida state officials have welcomed Lockheed Martin’s expansion, citing its positive impact on job creation and economic growth. Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly noted, “Strategic investments like this continue to propel Florida’s workforce, adding 300 new jobs and bringing economic success to Florida communities.”
Lockheed Martin has a longstanding partnership with the U.S. Navy, having served as the prime contractor for the Fleet Ballistic Missile programme since 1955. Over the years, the company has achieved 191 successful Trident II test launches since 1989, demonstrating the reliability of the system.
Source: Lockheed Martin.
