Lockheed Martin gets first batch of Patriot interceptor parts from General Motors

Advanced Radar System: A large mobile military radar array is deployed on a heavy-duty truck, providing surveillance and detection

Lockheed Martin has received its first shipment of critical components from General Motors’ defense subsidiary, GM Defense, for the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor used by the Patriot air-defense system. The delivery comes as the U.S. works to expand missile production and strengthen its defense-industrial supply chain.

First Components Delivered in Just 22 Days

GM Defense delivered the first batch of PAC-3 MSE housing components on August 28, only 22 days after Lockheed Martin and GM signed their formal manufacturing agreement on August 6. Lockheed said components of this type can traditionally take months or even years to produce.

GM Brings Automotive Manufacturing Into Missile Production

The partnership allows GM Defense to use General Motors' large-scale casting, machining, and precision-manufacturing capabilities to produce components meeting defense specifications. The companies are seeking to apply commercial manufacturing practices to other defense and munitions programs as well.

Patriot air-defense missile launcher stands deployed in an open field, ready to support air and missile-defense

Patriot Interceptors Face Growing Demand

The PAC-3 MSE is a hit-to-kill interceptor designed to counter threats including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Demand for Patriot interceptors has increased amid the wars involving Ukraine and Iran, putting additional pressure on U.S. and allied missile inventories.

Lockheed Expands U.S. Missile Production

Lockheed Martin says it is investing $8 billion to $9 billion to expand production of PAC-3 MSE, THAAD and Precision Strike Missile systems across more than 20 U.S. locations.

The company expects its overall munitions production and warehousing footprint to increase by nearly 50% after planned expansions.

A New Model for Faster Defense Production

The GM partnership represents a broader effort to bring commercial manufacturing capacity into the U.S. defense supply chain.

Workers assemble missile components inside a large U.S. defense manufacturing facility as efforts to expand interceptor production continue

For Lockheed Martin, adding another major industrial manufacturer could help increase component availability as the company works to expand PAC-3 MSE production and meet demand from the United States and its allies.

Author: Kevin Macmellon

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