The U.S. Department of Defense, referred to by the Trump administration as the U.S. Department of War, announced the signing of agreements with General Dynamic Ordnance and Tactical Systems, and Lockheed Martin for the procurement of missile subcomponents.
The seven-year contracts are designed to increase production quantities and accelerate delivery schedules for components of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptor programs.
“Today’s announcement represents an example of the evolution of how we partner with industry to expand the ‘Arsenal of Freedom,’ outpace emerging threats, and ensure the warfighter never faces a fair fight,” Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey said. “General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin have answered the call. We are cutting red tape, shortening timelines, and rapidly scaling our domestic manufacturing capacity to deliver the advanced air and missile defense capabilities.”
The department said General Dynamics will perform a rapid scale-up of interceptor components, tripling the production capacity of the PAC-3 MSE interceptors and quadrupling the production capacity of THAAD interceptors. Additionally, General Dynamics will ramp up manufacturing for essential sub-component, including motor cases, seeker housings and midsections, and shroud deployment systems.
No specific information about Lockheed Martin was provided by the Defense Department.
The DoW said funding for the agreements is subject to annual appropriations, but that the agreements provide the industry with a stable, long-term demand that will allow the company and its suppliers to make investments in workforce expansion, bulk material purchases and facility upgrades.