Lockheed Martin building new missile facility

Security and aerospace company Lockheed Martin is building a new missile facility on its campus in Huntsville, Ala., to serve as an investment in innovation while advancing capability.

During the recent groundbreaking ceremony, Lockheed Martin officials said the $16.5 million Missile System Integration Lab (MSIL) venue would initially be used exclusively for development within the company’s Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program.

The effort is also slated to support the Missile Defense Agency’s mission to protect against ballistic missile threats with a modern weapon system.

“Lockheed Martin has had a presence in the Huntsville community since 1963, and the new facility adds to our advanced portfolio to ensure engineering rigor through ground testing and integration, validating our approach well before we flight test,” Lockheed Martin NGI Program Vice President said. “The facility will be equipped with key infrastructure and communication capabilities, integrating the digital thread in all that we do and maturing the All Up Round as we prove out our design.”

The company noted its space workforce is expected to grow by over 200 employees this year at its Huntsville and Courtland, Ala., sites. It is looking forward to the potential of additional expansions in north Alabama to support the nation’s high-priority missions.