Lockheed Martin opens hypersonics facility in Alabama
Lockheed Martin has opened an Alabama site for hypersonic strike production. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The new site is dedicated to the company’s hypersonic strike programmes.
Lockheed Martin has opened an advanced hypersonic strike production facility in Alabama.
This new opening underlines Lockheed Martin's strategy of establishing Northern Alabama as the base for its hypersonic strike programmes. The 65,000-square-foot Hypersonic Missile Assembly Building 4 (MAB 4) is based on a digital foundation that Lockheed Martin has prioritised through transformation efforts across the enterprise.
The second Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) production facility on site integrates digital transformation work such as robotic thermal protection application capabilities, smart torque tools and mixed-reality capabilities for training and virtual inspections.
Lockheed Martin is investing in the development and manufacturing of hypersonic systems to counter rapidly emerging threats from near-peer adversaries. The programmes produced at this site support several US military branches and DARPA, on programmes including the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon and Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems]()
Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems
Air defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth.
-
![Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans]()
Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans
In May this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government plans to position Germany as “Europe's strongest conventional army”. A new blueprint outlines how this is going to occur through massive investment.
-
![European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap]()
European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap
Two of the concrete projects outlined in the readiness report, the European Air Shield and Space Shield, will aim to be launched by Q2 2026.
-
![Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026]()
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
