Lockheed Martin follows Raytheon in strategic teaming on rocket motors as demand increases
The missiles that decide the outcome of conflicts are powered by rocket motors. The more active the conflict, the more rocket motors are needed. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The major defence manufacturers have been looking to secure their supply chains as more missiles are being used in Ukraine.
Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics have signed a strategic teaming agreement for the production of solid rocket motors. The move is aimed at securing a domestic supply chain for the motors that, for instance, fire missiles at their targets.
Such strategic collaborations look to be an emerging defence trend in 2024, following Raytheon’s signing of a deal with Avio in July for the same fundamental purposes. Raytheon justified the collaboration with the logic that more of its rocket motors were being used than had been usual in Ukraine, powering its Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) and AIM-9X AAM missiles, as the resistance to the Russian invasion continued.
The rationale from Lockheed Martin is similar.
Related Articles
Defence business booms and order books build on the back of Russia–Ukraine war
Israel cleared for $20 billion in arms packages
“This agreement enables Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics to ramp production of in-demand solutions more quickly going forward,” said Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Maintaining a robust and diverse supply chain for solid rocket motors is critical to advancing our vision for a stronger, more resilient defence industrial base.”
The work of the collaborating companies will initially focus on the production of rocket motors for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) at the General Dynamics facility in Camden, Arkansas, beginning in 2025. Lockheed Martin said the initial collaboration would be followed by a phased planning approach to transition to other products.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace collaborate on British Army ACP bid]()
Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace collaborate on British Army ACP bid
The pair will submit their demonstrator concept for Project Nyx, a development project for the British Army’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform.
-
![US Army command’s Picatinny CLIK common lethal drone interface makes progress]()
US Army command’s Picatinny CLIK common lethal drone interface makes progress
The Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit is designed to overcome the issue of unique integration methods between lethal payloads and drones as well as avoiding problematic acquisition conditions created by vendor lock.
-
![Australia invests extra A$1.4 billion in MQ-28A Ghost Bat after successful missile fire test]()
Australia invests extra A$1.4 billion in MQ-28A Ghost Bat after successful missile fire test
The investment includes new contracts for six MQ-28A Ghost Bat aircraft, as well as provisional funds to invest in the development of a Block 3 prototype.
-
![US approves potential $4.7 billion missile and air defence system sales to Denmark and Italy]()
US approves potential $4.7 billion missile and air defence system sales to Denmark and Italy
Italy could field the JASSM-ER for its combat aircraft including the F-35, while Denmark has been approved for AMRAAM and an Integrated Battle Command system procurement.
-
![Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026]()
Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026
The newly unveiled collaborative combat aircraft looks to strike a balance between capability and cost-effectiveness, according to the company.
-
![MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests]()
MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests
Following the completion of successful ground tests, one more exercise remains before flight testing can begin.
