Lockheed Martin has struck a strategic teaming agreement with peer General Dynamics for the production of solid rocket motors for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS).
It increases Lockheed’s supplier options of rocket motors to three, along with Northrop Grumman and L3Harris Technologies.
“Maintaining a robust and diverse supply chain for solid rocket motors is critical to advancing our 21st Century Security vision for a stronger, more resilient defense industrial base that keeps our customers around the globe ahead of emerging threats,” Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control President Tim Cahill said.
“This agreement enables Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics to ramp production of in-demand solutions more quickly going forward.”
Hunt for Motor Supplier
Lockheed hunted for an additional supplier for the rocket motors in the wake of the Ukraine war, which increased GMLRS demand.
The GMLRS is one of two munitions of the HIMARS and MLRS M270 rocket artillery systems extensively deployed in Ukraine.
The munition will be the partnership’s initial focus with work taking place at General Dynamics’ facility in Camden, Arkansas, starting in 2025.
It will be followed by a planned phased transition to other products.
“We are proud to apply our expertise in missile subsystems to deliver new capabilities that will add resiliency to the domestic supply chain,” General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) president Firat Gezen said.
“The collaboration between GD-OTS and Lockheed Martin underscores our shared commitment to strengthening the defense industrial base and providing critical capability to the warfighter.”