(../../../../../../pf/resources/img/defensenews-logo-white.png@d=145&mxId=00000000)       (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/apple-touch-icon.png@d=145)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/favicon-32x32.png@d=145)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/apple-touch-icon.png@d=145)  (https://www.defensenews.com/pf/resources/img/favicons/def/safari-pinned-tab.svg?d=145)  (../../../../../../pf/resources/img/favicons/def/favicon.ico@d=145)    (index.html)                   (https://d1voyiv1eh2vzr.cloudfront.net/)  (https://p.typekit.net/)  (https://use.typekit.net/)  (https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/)  (https://fonts.gstatic.com/)  (https://www.defensenews.com/#publisher)  Lockheed invests $300M in Texas plant to feed missile surge     (../../../../../../../fonts.googleapis.com/css2@family=IBM+Plex+Serif%253Aital,wght@0,300%3B0,400%3B0,500%3B0,600%3B0,700%3B1,300%3B1,400%3B1,700&display=optional.css)  (../../../../../../../use.typekit.net/azw8xnv.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/components/output-types/default.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/components/combinations/default.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)  (../../../../../../pf/dist/css/military-times.css@d=145&mxId=00000000.css)   Sections     Search     Sections Sections      (Defense News Logo) (https://www.defensenews.com/) (Defense News Logo)   (https://www.defensenews.com/air/) Air Warfare  (https://www.defensenews.com/land/) Land  (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/) Naval  (https://www.defensenews.com/space/) Space  (https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/?source=dfn-nav) CyberOpens in new window   (http://www.c4isrnet.com?source=dfn-nav) C4ISROpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/) Pentagon  (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/) Congress  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/) Global  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/) Video  (https://www.defensenews.com/thought-leadership/) Thought Leadership   Search             Close            (https://www.defensenews.com/subscribe) Subscribe Now  (https://www.defensenews.com/air/) Air Warfare  (https://www.defensenews.com/land/) Land  (https://www.defensenews.com/naval/) Naval  (https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/) Pentagon  (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/) Congress Show Congress sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/congress/budget/) Budget     (https://www.c4isrnet.com/cyber/?source=dfn-nav) CyberOpens in new window   (http://www.c4isrnet.com?source=dfn-nav) C4ISROpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/space/) Space  (https://www.defensenews.com/training-sim/) Training & Sim  (https://www.defensenews.com/unmanned/) Unmanned  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/) Global Show Global sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/global/asia-pacific/) Asia Pacific  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/) Europe  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/) Mideast Africa  (https://www.defensenews.com/global/the-americas/) The Americas     (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/) Industry Show Industry sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/) MilTech  (https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/) Top 100Opens in new window   (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Pitch DeskOpens in new window      (https://www.defensenews.com/interviews/) Interviews  (https://www.defensenews.com/opinion/) Opinion  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/) Video Show Video sub sections      (https://www.defensenews.com/video/dntv/) Defense News Weekly  (https://www.defensenews.com/video/money-minute/) Money Minute     (https://www.defensenews.com/outlook/) Outlook  (https://www.defensenews.com/press-release/) Press Releases  (https://www.defensenews.com/thought-leadership/) Thought Leadership Show Thought Leadership sub sections      (https://hub.sightlinemediagroup.com/market-intel/) Whitepapers & eBooksOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/special-coverage/) DSDs & SMRsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) WebcastsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) EventsOpens in new window      (https://link.defensenews.com/join/5ba/signup-newsletters?source=dfn-nav) NewslettersOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events) Events Calendar  (https://www.defensenews.com/native/) Native  (https://www.defensenews.com/ebb/) Early Bird Brief  (https://defensenews-va.newsmemory.com/) Digital EditionOpens in new window          Featured: (https://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-dailies/ausa/) Coverage: AUSA Annual  (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Send us your pitch  (https://people.defensenews.com/top-100/) Top 100 Defense Companies                   (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch) MilTech    Lockheed invests $300M in Texas plant to feed missile surge By (https://www.defensenews.com/author/michael-scanlon) Michael Scanlon     Oct 16, 2026, 12:00 AM                                ()    Lockheed Martin's Grand Prairie, Texas, site. (Lockheed Martin)    Lockheed Martin is investing $300 million to expand its plant in Grand Prairie, Texas, which supports all programs across its Missiles and Fire Control business, including the (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/10/12/lockheeds-new-pac-3-edge-interceptor-aims-for-agility/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/10/12/lockheeds-new-pac-3-edge-interceptor-aims-for-agility/) PAC-3 MSE and (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/08/31/lockheed-martin-general-dynamics-get-framework-deals-to-surge-patriot-thaad-production/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/08/31/lockheed-martin-general-dynamics-get-framework-deals-to-surge-patriot-thaad-production/) THAAD interceptors, the (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2026/09/22/us-army-awards-lockheed-martin-12b-prsm-contract/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2026/09/22/us-army-awards-lockheed-martin-12b-prsm-contract/) Precision Strike Missile and the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile. (https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2026-10-14-Lockheed-Martin-Expands-Advanced-Munitions-Manufacturing-in-Texas,-Driving-Thousands-of-New-American-Jobs) The company said Oct. 14 that the expansion will help the plant reach record production levels and deliver components to final-assembly sites, including Camden, Arkansas and Troy, Alabama.     The project expands the plant’s manufacturing footprint to more than 735,000 square feet. The expansion adds 100,000 square feet of new space and converts 85,000 square feet of office space into factory floor space for automated, high-precision machining. Nearly 800 production employees work at the plant, which produced 250,000 parts in 2025. Lockheed said it has added more than 30 high-precision machines in recent months and expects to install nearly 100 additional machines by the end of 2026. Lockheed also said Hadrian, a California-based manufacturing startup, will install 24 automated machines at the Grand Prairie facility to produce missile parts. Lockheed employees will operate the equipment, which is expected to be up and running by early 2027. The project follows a (https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2025-12-08-lockheed-martin-and-hadrian-collaborate-to-advance-manufacturing-capabilities) memorandum of understanding the two companies signed in December 2025.     “The warfighter can’t wait on peacetime timelines,” Hadrian CEO Chris Power said in the release. “Rebuilding the Arsenal of Freedom at the scale America needs will take partnerships that combine expertise and speed, and this is what that looks like.” The buildout supports (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/03/25/pentagon-announces-major-surge-in-missile-production/) a series of framework agreements the Defense Department has signed with Lockheed since January, designed to boost missile production and lead to long-term contracts. The first aims to (https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/2026/01/06/lockheed-to-triple-production-of-interceptor-missiles-in-pentagon-deal/) increase PAC-3 MSE production from about 600 to roughly 2,000 interceptors per year over seven years. The Army followed with a (https://www.militarytimes.com/industry/techwatch/2026/04/10/pentagon-lockheed-martin-agree-to-47-billion-pac-3-interceptor-deal/) $4.7 billion contract in April, then (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/30/us-strikes-586-billion-patriot-missile-deal-amid-rising-stockpile-concerns/) converted it in July into a seven-year production contract worth about $58.6 billion in total. A separate (https://www.militarytimes.com/industry/techwatch/2026/06/25/lockheed-martin-wins-over-35-billion-contract-to-quadruple-thaad-production/) THAAD framework , signed in January, led to a (https://www.militarytimes.com/industry/techwatch/2026/06/25/lockheed-martin-wins-over-35-billion-contract-to-quadruple-thaad-production/) June contract from the Missile Defense Agency worth more than $35 billion to quadruple interceptor production. Lockheed and the Pentagon announced (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/03/25/pentagon-announces-major-surge-in-missile-production/) similar agreements for the Precision Strike Missile on March 25 and for the (https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2026/09/17/pentagon-lockheed-sign-framework-deal-to-boost-aim-260-production/) AIM-260 on Sept. 17.      “Lockheed Martin has brought together commercial speed and combat-proven performance because America needs both,” said Jim Taiclet, Lockheed’s chairman, president and CEO. “By combining advanced technology with the expertise of our American workforce, we’re transforming manufacturing to deliver critical munitions at speed and scale.” “This expansion is more than just a new facility; it is a stronger supply chain and a more resilient industrial base,” said Michael Duffey, the Pentagon’s undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment. The Grand Prairie investment is part of Lockheed’s plan to spend $8 billion to $9 billion through 2030 to increase munitions production and modernize or expand more than 20 U.S. facilities. The company said it plans to create 6,000 jobs nationwide, including 2,000 in Texas. About  (https://www.defensenews.com/author/michael-scanlon) Michael Scanlon   Michael Scanlon is a defense journalist covering air and space warfare. A former U.S. Air Force A-10 crew chief, he has supported land and sea programs for the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard.  Share:                             (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch) More In MilTech  ([object Object]) ()     (/recap/ausa/2026/10/16/recap-autonomy-dominates-the-us-armys-2026-conference-in-washington/) (https://www.defensenews.com/recap/ausa/2026/10/16/recap-autonomy-dominates-the-us-armys-2026-conference-in-washington/) Recap: Autonomy dominates the US Army’s 2026 conference in Washington  Dominating displays at this year’s show was an unmistakable surge in automation and unmanned systems, as well as weaponry and vehicle capabilities.        ()     (/industry/techwatch/2026/07/20/trust-between-operators-ccas-starts-with-simulations-former-air-force-secretary/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/07/20/trust-between-operators-ccas-starts-with-simulations-former-air-force-secretary/) Trust between operators, CCAs starts with simulations: Former Air Force secretary  Simulations and exercises will be key to boosting trust between operators and CCAs, according to former U.S. Air Force secretary Frank Kendall.        ()     (/home/2026/06/02/celebrating-40-years-of-defense-news/) (https://www.defensenews.com/home/2026/06/02/celebrating-40-years-of-defense-news/) Celebrating 40 years of Defense News  Since 1986, Defense News has been the authoritative voice for the world's defense decision-makers.        ()     (/air-warfare/2025/11/03/guardsman-learns-to-fly-autonomous-black-hawk-in-less-than-an-hour/) (https://www.defensenews.com/air-warfare/2025/11/03/guardsman-learns-to-fly-autonomous-black-hawk-in-less-than-an-hour/) Guardsman learns to fly autonomous Black Hawk in less than an hour  In a training first, an Army National Guardsman used a tablet to control Sikorsky's optionally piloted Black Hawk and plan its task during an exercise.        ([object Object]) ()     (/recap/ausa/2025/10/16/recap-highlights-from-the-us-armys-2025-conference-in-washington/) (https://www.defensenews.com/recap/ausa/2025/10/16/recap-highlights-from-the-us-armys-2025-conference-in-washington/) Recap: Highlights from the US Army’s 2025 conference in Washington  The Army continues to transform, with efforts focused on next-gen weaponry, long-range artillery, unmanned systems and much more.             Featured Video    (/video/2026/10/15/lockheed-martin-unveils-new-pac-3-edge-interceptor-for-patriot-systems/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/10/15/lockheed-martin-unveils-new-pac-3-edge-interceptor-for-patriot-systems/) Lockheed Martin unveils new PAC-3 Edge interceptor for Patriot systems        ()     (/video/2026/10/15/pentagon-looks-for-50b-for-mass-drone-production-hegseth-says/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/10/15/pentagon-looks-for-50b-for-mass-drone-production-hegseth-says/) Pentagon looks for $50B for mass drone production, Hegseth says        ()     (/video/2026/10/15/how-silvus-is-connecting-soldiers-and-systems-across-the-battlefield/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/10/15/how-silvus-is-connecting-soldiers-and-systems-across-the-battlefield/) How Silvus Is Connecting Soldiers and Systems Across the Battlefield        ()     (/video/2026/10/14/rolls-royce-details-its-role-in-two-major-army-modernization-programs/) (https://www.defensenews.com/video/2026/10/14/rolls-royce-details-its-role-in-two-major-army-modernization-programs/) Rolls-Royce Details Its Role in Two Major Army Modernization Programs                       Trending Now (/global/europe/2026/10/15/france-to-go-it-alone-on-next-gen-combat-aircraft-after-fcas-collapse/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/10/15/france-to-go-it-alone-on-next-gen-combat-aircraft-after-fcas-collapse/) France to go it alone on next-gen combat aircraft after FCAS collapse        (/global/europe/2026/10/14/france-mulls-keeping-charles-de-gaulle-carrier-sailing-after-2038/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/10/14/france-mulls-keeping-charles-de-gaulle-carrier-sailing-after-2038/) France mulls keeping Charles de Gaulle carrier sailing after 2038        (/industry/techwatch/2026/10/14/northrop-grumman-breaks-out-the-big-guns-at-ausa/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/10/14/northrop-grumman-breaks-out-the-big-guns-at-ausa/) Northrop Grumman breaks out the big guns at AUSA        (/industry/techwatch/2026/10/13/bae-systems-unveils-new-layered-air-defense-system/) (https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/10/13/bae-systems-unveils-new-layered-air-defense-system/) BAE Systems unveils new layered air-defense system        (/global/europe/2026/10/14/estonia-weighs-buying-light-jet-aircraft-to-shoot-down-russian-jet-powered-drones/) (https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/10/14/estonia-weighs-buying-light-jet-aircraft-to-shoot-down-russian-jet-powered-drones/) Estonia weighs buying light jet aircraft to shoot down Russian jet-powered drones                         (https://www.facebook.com/DefenseNews)   Facebook page  (https://twitter.com/defense_news)   Twitter feed  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/rss/)   RSS feed    Defense News © 2026  Terms of Use (https://www.defensenews.com/m/privacy-policy/) Privacy Policy  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/terms-of-services/) Terms of Service    Get Us (https://www.defensenews.com/subscribe) Subscribe Now  (https://www.defensenews.com/newsletters/) NewslettersOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/events/) EventsOpens in new window   (https://www.defensenews.com/m/defense-news-rss-feeds/) RSS FeedsOpens in new window   (https://subscribe.sightlinemg.com/collections) Shop MerchOpens in new window     Contact Us (https://www.defensenews.com/m/advertising/) Advertise  (https://www.defensenews.com/m/contact-us/) General Contacts, Subscription Services  (https://www.defensenews.com/editorial-contacts/) Editorial Staff  (https://one.sightlinemg.com/defensenews/pitch-our-defense-desk/) Pitch DeskOpens in new window     About Us (https://www.defensenews.com/m/about-us/) About Us  (https://boards.greenhouse.io/sightlinemediagroup?gh_src=cpxe2a1) CareersOpens in new window      (Defense News Logo)         (gtm)