By Troy Turner
Lockheed Martin announced today that it has opened a Hypersonics System Integration Lab at its Huntsville campus, representing a $17.1 million investment in its growing Alabama defense industry portfolio.
“As global threats evolve at unprecedented speed, the defense community is turning its focus to technologies that can outpace and outmaneuver potential adversaries. Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound, have become a central pillar of that modernization effort,” a company press statement said.
The 17,000-square-foot integration facility will bring together advanced test equipment, state-of-the-art simulation tools and a world-class integration environment under one roof.
The new facility enables reinforcement of a deterrent posture that protects the U.S. and its allies while dramatically shortening development cycles and fielding higher performance systems for the U.S. Army, the company said.
“Hypersonic weapons are reshaping the future of military defense by delivering unmatched speed and maneuverability that outpace traditional threats,” said Holly Molmer, program management director for Lockheed Martin.
“Their rapid response capability strengthens deterrence, ensuring potential adversaries understand that any aggression can be met instantly and decisively. As the pace of conflict accelerates, hypersonic systems become essential to preserving peace and protecting national security,” Molmer said.
Lockheed Martin has a large presence in Alabama, ranging from research and missile assembly plants in Troy, Courtland and Huntsville, to its stamp with company-made F-35s assigned to the Alabama Air Guard’s 187th fighter wing based in Montgomery.
The new lab for hypersonic work in Huntsville indicates the company’s interest in growing that footprint, officials said.
“Lockheed Martin’s commitment to north Alabama is stronger than ever, and this new facility is a clear demonstration of that dedication,” said Jim Romero, vice president of Hypersonic Strike Weapon Systems for Lockheed Martin Space.
In Huntsville, the company leads development of the Next Generation Interceptor, which is a missile defense system being designed to serve as a first line of defense against missile attacks.
Meanwhile in south Alabama, the Troy facility is a manufacturing, final assembly, test and storage operation for the company’s missile programs, sitting on 4,000 acres of land with 52 buildings.
It employs nearly 600 workers who support final assembly of missiles that include the Javelin, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile, the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) and air-to-ground missiles. Since it was first established, more than 190,000 missiles have been produced at the site.
“Alabama is home to some of the most mission-critical programs and teams in the country. From hypersonics to supporting America’s missile defense, the career opportunities available here are unparalleled,” Lockheed Martin says in its recruiting materials.
Images and quotes provided by Lockheed Martin media.
Troy Turner is the editor and senior consultant for AlaDefense.com. He can be reached at [email protected]. His bio can be found here.
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