Lockheed Martin has begun construction on a new missile production factory in Troy, Alabama, as the company moves to accelerate output of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors amid rising global demand for air and missile defense systems.
Lockheed Martin has begun construction on a new missile production factory in Troy, Alabama, as the company moves to accelerate output of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors amid rising global demand for air and missile defense systems.
The weapon is designed to intercept ballistic missile threats inside and outside the atmosphere and is currently operated by the US, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The new Munitions Production Center, known as Building 47, will add 87,000 square feet (8,083 square meters) of manufacturing space for the firm’s established THAAD manufacturing line and future work tied to the Next Generation Interceptor initiative.
The expansion doubles production space at the Troy site and will support new roles over the next three years, adding to its existing workforce of approximately 4,000 people in Alabama.
According to Lockheed, the infrastructure forms part of its broader $9-billion investment plan through the end of the decade to grow overall munitions production and modernize more than 20 facilities across the continental US.
“This partnership is critical to surging our munitions capacity, and Lockheed Martin has leaned in aggressively,” said US Under Secretary of War Michael Duffey during the groundbreaking ceremony. “Today is a testament to that partnership and that progress.”
Also speaking at the event, Lockheed Martin CEO and President Jim Taiclet highlighted that the company has invested more than $1 billion so far to expand missile manufacturing capacity.
“Lockheed Martin is ready now to meet the urgent demand to expand production capacity,” Taiclet remarked.
