Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has announced that it has reached two major milestones in the accelerated production of GMLRS rockets, a critical weapon for the US Army and America’s allies. The company has delivered its 100,000th GMLRS rocket and is now producing nearly 14,000 rockets a year, a production rate achieved ahead of schedule as demand grows for proven, battlefield-ready systems.

Lockheed Martin also announced a step toward strengthening America’s defence industrial base. Its collaboration with General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) has recently completed the first test of a new solid rocket motor for GMLRS, with continued testing planned and motor qualification expected in 2027, leading to a third domestic source for a key component and helping build resiliency in the supply chain as production continues to accelerate.

The milestones were marked during a ceremony in Camden, Arkansas, underscoring continued investment in US military readiness, American manufacturing and the defence industrial base.

WHY IT MATTERS

GMLRS is a precision strike rocket that is combat-proven and offers low-cost, low-risk rounds that reduce collateral damage while providing the capability and flexibility soldiers need in the field. The rockets are rapidly deployable and launch from M270 and HIMARS launchers.

EXPERT PERSPECTIVES

“Today’s production milestones reinforce how Lockheed Martin is delivering with urgency, investing in our supply chain and ensuring American forces have what they need, before they need it, to defend here and around the world,” said Gaylia Campbell, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin Tactical Missiles. “Our team is working tirelessly in close coordination with the Department of War and industry partners like General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems to meet the demand.”

“We are proud of our longstanding role supporting the GMLRS program and our contributions to this production milestone by delivering critical components, including warheads, rocket motor cases and launch pod containers,” said Chris Haynes, senior vice president and general manager at GDOTS. “Additionally, the recent solid rocket motor test represents an important milestone in our collaboration with Lockheed Martin to expand solid rocket motor production capacity. Together, these efforts reflect our shared commitment to expanding domestic manufacturing capacity, strengthening the defence industrial base and ensuring U.S. and allied forces have the capabilities they need.”

THE BIG PICTURE

The GMLRS programme has more than 200 suppliers across 35 states, more than 50 of them designated small businesses. More than 200 employees support GMLRS production in Camden, and the site is hiring 50% more employees to support accelerated production across several munitions programmes, including PAC-3 MSE and PrSM.

Lockheed Martin continues to invest in employee training and hiring from local schools, including funding an Industrial Automation and Robotics Lab within the new Defense Manufacturing Center of Excellence at SAU Tech. A high school hiring initiative, now in its fourth year, has become a significant source of opportunity for the region, with more than 40 graduating high school candidates earning full-time roles this year in support of accelerating munitions production.