Lockheed Martin has opened its $17 million, 17,000-square-foot Hypersonics System Integration Lab on its Huntsville campus.
The integration facility will bring together advanced test equipment, simulation tools and an integration environment under one roof. The new facility will shorten development cycles and fielding higher performance systems for the U.S. Army.
The facility was completed in one year.
“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. “Built to house advanced engineering and integration capabilities, it will play a pivotal role in positioning Lockheed Martin as the industry leader in hypersonic defense and deterrence technology. We’re proud to celebrate the addition of this advanced hub to our Huntsville campus.”
Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at five times the speed of sound, have become a central pillar of that modernization effort.
“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.”
Since 2021, Lockheed Martin’s Strategic and Missile Defense Systems division has invested more than $185 million to add nearly 408,000 square feet of new and upgraded space. The effort is part of a larger capital program that now totals roughly $529 million and 719,000 square feet of facilities under construction or planned. In the last five years, Lockheed Martin Strategic and Missile Defense has spent about $200 million on over 400,000 square feet of infrastructure and is poised to commit another $500 million to further expand its capabilities.
“Our continued investment in world‑class facilities underscores Lockheed Martin’s commitment to providing the engineers, scientists and partners with the space, tools and collaborative environments they need to stay ahead of emerging threats,” said Johnathon Caldwell, vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems at Lockheed Martin. “By expanding our footprint today, we are building the foundation for the next generation of defense solutions that will protect our nation tomorrow.”
Locally, that investment includes expanding its missile assembly campus on a former World War II U.S. Army Air Corps site in north Alabama.
Lockheed-Martin Next Generation Interceptor and Space Vice President Sarah Reeves told AL.com the company expects to complete an 88,000 square-foot assembly plant in Courtland for the long-range ballistic missile defense interceptor - Next Generation Interceptor – by early next year.
Lockheed Martin is one of several companies with a Huntsville presence that are expected to play a major role in President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome defense initiative.
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