Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics have reported progress in their joint initiative to develop solid rocket motor (SRM) production, aiming to strengthen the U.S. defense supply chain. The companies began construction in April on infrastructure necessary for this effort and have since achieved several development milestones.
The collaboration has concentrated on enhancing supply chain resilience and advancing propulsion technology. Notable achievements include progress in subcomponent design and testing, a comprehensive review of all SRM elements, and the completion of a full-scale inert SRM build. This build served to validate key manufacturing processes, ensuring reliability and consistency.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems is constructing a new SRM manufacturing site in Camden, Arkansas. The facility will cover 270 acres with more than 50,000 square feet of production space across 16 specialized buildings. It is expected to support all phases of SRM development and manufacturing, with completion scheduled to align with qualification builds planned for 2026. The project is anticipated to create nearly 100 jobs in the region.
Jerry Brode, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Solid Rocket Motor Product Center, stated: “We are very pleased with the steady progress we are making in the development and production of solid rocket motors. Successfully hitting these critical design and production milestones highlights the momentum behind the program and strong industry collaboration. Together with our partners, we are creating a new source of supply for a critical component of the nation’s defense.”
Chris Haynes, senior vice president of GDOTS, said: “This state‑of‑the‑art facility marks a pivotal moment for our solid‑propulsion portfolio. By combining trusted manufacturing approaches with proven automation, we are building the resilience needed to guarantee reliable, high-quality and on‑time delivery of SRMs at production scale. This partnership not only accelerates our innovation cycle — bringing increased scale and more cost‑effective motors to our customers faster — but also reinforces the robust and trusted supply network for this mission critical capability.”
The next phase for the project includes preparing for a static test of the solid rocket motor—a step considered essential for validating performance before moving into future stages of development.
Lockheed Martin describes itself as a global defense technology company focused on innovation and scientific advancement through its mission solutions. More information about Lockheed Martin can be found at Lockheedmartin.com.
General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems designs and produces munitions, energetics, armaments, and missile subsystems globally. Details about GDOTS are available at www.gd-ots.com.
