COURTLAND, Ala., Oct. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) is breaking barriers in hypersonic technology, adding
to its world-class portfolio another milestone with the grand
opening of an advanced production facility in Courtland, Alabama, focused on hypersonic
strike production. Capitalizing on critical digital factory
capabilities to deliver this technology, the corporation is working
closely with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to deliver new
21st-century warfare capabilities.
"Lockheed Martin has manufactured defense systems in
Courtland since 1994, providing
increasingly sophisticated capabilities to protect our nation,
allies, and security partners," said Sarah
Hiza, vice president and general manager of Strategic and
Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin Space. "Our long-time
partnerships with Alabama, the
Department of Defense, and academic researchers have paved the way
to develop the most advanced hypersonic strike capabilities using
the best-of-the-best digital technologies from across our
enterprise."
Driving Advanced Production Through Digital Readiness
The facility represents Lockheed Martin's commitment to
establishing northern Alabama as
the base of the company's hypersonic strike programs. The
65,000-square-foot Hypersonic Missile Assembly Building 4 (MAB 4)
is built on the digital foundation that Lockheed Martin has
prioritized through mission-driven transformation efforts
across the enterprise to meet customer needs with speed and
agility while bolstering U.S. manufacturing capability.
The second Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) production facility
onsite, this location integrates critical digital transformation
advancements such as robotic thermal protection application
capabilities, smart torque tools and mixed-reality capabilities for
training and virtual inspections. The machines in this facility
also will connect to the company's Intelligent Factory Framework
early next year, which digitally links production facilities
and assets across the Lockheed Martin enterprise to help enable
unprecedented insights into the health, status and optimization of
operations.
The Courtland site houses one
of four transformational manufacturing facilities Lockheed Martin
is opening in the United States
within one year.
Delivering Hypersonic Strike Production
Lockheed
Martin continues to make significant investments in the development
and manufacturing of hypersonic systems to counter rapidly emerging
threats from near-peer adversaries. The programs produced at this
site support several U.S. military branches and Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency, including CPS, Long Range Hypersonic
Weapon and the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon.
"Hypersonic strike capabilities are critical to combat evolving
threats, giving our warfighters the tools they need to complete
complex missions," said Jay Pitman,
vice president of Air Dominance and Strike Weapons at Lockheed
Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The talented teams who work at
these new advanced strike production facilities are delivering
essential missile and hypersonic vehicle technologies in support of
the U.S. National Defense Strategy."
Developing the Northern Alabama Workforce
Lockheed
Martin has had a presence in northern Alabama for over five decades. Within the last
two years, Lockheed Martin has added a total of 117,000 square feet
at the Courtland facility. The
opening of MAB4 will bring an estimated 70 jobs to the area, adding
to the approximately 2,600 employees already based in the
state.
To support continued growth, Lockheed Martin is committed to
developing a strong talent pipeline through initiatives like the
Lockheed Martin-created AMTAP program, a training program that
allows participants to develop manufacturing skills in electronic,
mechanical, electromechanical and optical areas. Additionally, the
company has actively engaged with the Aerospace States
Association Alabama Chapter to host engagement opportunities
with students and small businesses.
In 2020, the company donated more than $300,000 to Alabama charities, provided nearly 15,000 PPE
items to frontline workers and delivered hundreds of meals to
healthcare workers.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin
Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs
approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged
in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
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announcements and news across the corporation.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin