Lockheed Martin to boost production capacity for popular weapons

3 May 2022

34 Less than a minute

Abone Ol

A U.S. Marine with 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response-Central Command, fires a FGM-148 Javelin, a shoulder-fired anti-tank missile, at his target during a live fire demonstration near At Tanf Garrison, Syria September 7, 2018. SPMAGTF-CR-CC Marines supported Special Operations Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting live fire demonstrations showcasing the unit's crisis response capabilities. The de-confliction lines for air and ground operations are professional military exchanges to prevent accidental targeting or unnecessary escalation between Russian-backed Syrian regime forces and Coalition-backed forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Lopez)

Lockheed Martin is expanding its production capacity for the Javelin anti-tank missiles and other weapon systems to prepare for an expected surge in orders, according to the US defence contractor’s chief executive.

“Something this urgent, we’re going to go ahead and invest it ahead of need, as it’s called, because the need’s pretty obvious,” Lockheed Martin chairman, president, and CEO James Taiclet told the Washington, DC-based Atlantic Council on 29 April.

To pave the way for higher production rates, Lockheed Martin is buying more equipment, hiring more employees, and allocating more factory space. The company might also “pre-fund” its suppliers to help them “bulk up their capacity, too”, Taiclet said.

In addition to the Javelin, which the Ukrainian forces have used against Russian armoured vehicles, Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 and THAAD interceptor missiles, counter battery radars, and guided rocket systems have generated an increased interest since Russia invaded Ukraine in February. The company also makes parts for Raytheon Technologies’ Stinger anti-aircraft missile, which the US Department of Defense (DoD) has provided in large numbers to Ukraine.

Abone Ol