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
-
![Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons]()
Rheinmetall reports “boom” as results hit new records with orders for vehicles, ammunition and weapons
Rheinmetall is riding high as Europe scrambles to boost its defence forces and replenish spent stockpiles sent to Ukraine.
-
![Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029]()
Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
-
![What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?]()
What does the US decision to pause Ukraine support mean for the war and the stock markets?
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
-
![Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet]()
Ireland begins work on buying fighter jets and doubling the naval fleet
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
-
![UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens]()
UK defence budget increased to 2.5% by 2027 as geopolitical landscape darkens
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.
