L3Harris Technologies has opened a new solid rocket motor production facility in Camden, Arkansas. The facility was designed to double current capacity, with additional growth available.
The new facility, along with additional propellant processing facilities, will support production for the U.S. Army’s Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). The new footprint centralizes production of the solid rocket motors that power the surface-to-surface precision fires capability.
The completion of this facility is part of a $216 million cooperative agreement the company signed with the Department of War in 2023 to support the increased demand for tactical missiles, including Javelin, Stinger and the GMLRS. The Department’s Defense Production Act Title III cooperative agreement with L3Harris included building new facilities at its Camden, Arkansas, and Orange County, Virginia, locations, as well as equipment and digital upgrades at the Huntsville, Alabama, facilities.
“Rocket propulsion is a vital national security capability,” said Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael P. Duffey in a statement. “This state-of-the-art facility enhances L3Harris’ capabilities and represents a critical leap forward in solid rocket motor production capacity, ensuring the joint forces and our allies maintain a resilient, responsive, and secure supply chain for precision munitions to support our warfighters.”
“The opening of this facility is a reminder that Camden, Arkansas, is an anchor of the defense industry and a critical component of the Arsenal of Freedom,” said Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. “I was honored to take part in the groundbreaking for their Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities campus late last year, and I’m excited they are officially opening the doors on this new facility where they will soon begin producing motors. This is a great moment for the people of Camden, the state of Arkansas, and the United States. Thank you to the team at L3Harris for their commitment to freedom and for choosing to call Arkansas home.”
L3Harris is executing multiple expansion projects at its Camden site, including the Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities and two new facilities to support PAC-3 propulsion production.
The company said it is investing billions across Arkansas, California, Virginia and Alabama, building approximately 60 new facilities and incorporating new equipment and processes. These investments are expected to help the company double, triple and quadruple propulsion production rates for a range of key programs.
