Lockheed Martin has broken ground on a new Munitions Production Center in Troy, Alabama, as the defense contractor ramps up missile interceptor manufacturing capacity for the United States and allied nations.
The new facility, known as Building 47, will add 87,000 square feet of production space to support Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors and future work tied to the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program. The project is part of Lockheed Martin’s broader plan to invest more than $9 billion through 2030 to expand munitions production and modernize manufacturing operations across the United States.
According to the company, the Alabama expansion will nearly double the Troy facility’s current production footprint and is expected to create a significant number of new jobs over the next three years. Lockheed Martin already employs nearly 4,000 people in Alabama.
The groundbreaking ceremony included remarks from Michael Duffey, U.S. Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment, along with Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet. The project reflects a broader Pentagon-backed effort to accelerate missile production capacity amid increasing global defense demand.
Lockheed Martin noted that THAAD is currently operated by the United States, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. The missile defense system is designed to intercept threats both inside and outside the atmosphere and is integrated with PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptors to expand defensive coverage.
The company also disclosed plans for additional facility expansions in Alabama supporting programs including NGI, AGM-158, and the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). Lockheed Martin said it currently operates more than 340,000 square feet of THAAD-related operations space across nine U.S. sites and works with nearly 750 suppliers across 42 states.
The announcement follows earlier framework agreements between Lockheed Martin and the Department of War aimed at significantly increasing production capacity for PAC-3 MSE, THAAD, and Precision Strike Missile systems.
KEY QUOTES:
“This partnership is critical to surging our munitions capacity, and Lockheed Martin has leaned in aggressively. Today is a testament to that partnership and that progress.”
Michael Duffey, Under Secretary Of War For Acquisition And Sustainment
“Lockheed Martin is ready now to meet the urgent demand to expand production capacity. We have already invested well over a billion dollars in this expansion, which directly strengthens deterrence and helps ensure our service members and allies have the capabilities they need when they need them.”
Jim Taiclet, Chairman, President And CEO, Lockheed Martin
