Four New Facilities Aim to Strengthen Domestic Missile Propulsion Capabilities

L3Harris Technologies has officially broken ground on four new solid rocket motor production facilities at its Camden, Arkansas site. The expansion, part of a $215.6 million agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense, is designed to ramp up domestic manufacturing capacity for missile propulsion.

“Expanding solid rocket motor production in Arkansas is a strategic investment in our nation’s security at a time when defense and deterrence are increasingly critical on the global stage,” explained Ken Bedingfield, President of Aerojet Rocketdyne under L3Harris. “Our propulsion is a key enabler of the ‘Arsenal of Democracy 2.0,’ and L3Harris is committed to ramping up production to support the defense of our nation, its allies and partners.”

The project includes a 60,000-square-foot facility to consolidate key production processes under one roof, cutting internal transport distances by 80%. The build will feature a dedicated mixer building and new propellant processing structures to support increased output.

Anthony Di Stasio, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience, called the expansion “a crucial step” in meeting the Pentagon’s growing needs. By modernizing and expanding production, L3Harris will be able to increase output and replenish U.S. stockpiles more efficiently.

“I take great pride in the fact that the Fourth District of Arkansas is home to such an integral contributor to our national defense,” commented Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman. “Our national security has never been more important, and this expansion in Camden will continue to solidify the Natural State’s mark on defense manufacturing, support many hardworking Arkansans, and maintain our nation’s position as a global leader in aerospace and defense.”

L3Harris has wasted no time getting started. Since securing the agreement, the company has finalized building designs, planned development across multiple sites, and purchased new production equipment, some of which have already helped boost manufacturing.

Camden isn’t the only place seeing growth. L3Harris is also expanding solid rocket motor production in Virginia and shifting inert component manufacturing to Huntsville, Alabama. Because if there’s one thing the defense industry knows, it’s that you can never have too many rockets—or too many places to build them.

FMI: www.l3harris.com