Lockheed Expands Texas Missile Plant With Hadrian Manufacturing Cells to Boost Munitions Output

Lockheed Martin on Oct. 14 opened a more than 100,000-square-foot expansion at its missiles and fire-control facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, incorporating manufacturing cells from Hadrian, the $8 billion startup. The cells, overseen by Lockheed employees, will help build Patriot interceptors, GMLRS rocket artillery and Precision Strike Missiles. Hadrian CEO Chris Power said the partnership offers "connected systems, connected workforces" and an overflow buffer to the company's Arizona factory. Lockheed CEO Jim Taiclet said 19th-century tasks such as forging, casting and machining metal are being modernized through new technologies and quality controls. The collaboration marks a shift from rivalry to cooperation between prime Pentagon suppliers and emerging entrants. Taiclet cited recent partnerships with Saildrone and Fortem Technologies. Pentagon weapons buyer Michael Duffey said a robust industrial base can itself serve as a deterrent. A March report by the Ronald Reagan Institute graded U.S. manufacturing capacity "D+" and defense modernization "D," while giving private-sector innovation an "A-."