Lockheed Martin's "Haimas" rocket production reaches nearly 14,000 rockets per year, up 75% in 2 years
The plant in Camden, Arkansas, reached its annual production target of nearly 14,000 munitions ahead of schedule, and the U.S. military continues to purchase precision strike munitions.
Quick Look
- Lockheed Martin announced that its plant in Camden, Arkansas, has completed the production of its 100,000th GMLRS precision-guided rocket, reaching its annual production target of nearly 14,000 rockets ahead of schedule.
- In June, the US military awarded the company a US$3 billion procurement contract for the 2026 fiscal year, covering standard and extended-range GMLRS rockets.
- About 200 employees are responsible for production at the Camden factory.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Lockheed Martin, a major U.S. military manufacturer, has completed the production of its 100,000th GMLRS precision-guided rocket at its factory in Camden, Arkansas. The rocket can be launched by the U.S. military's "Haimas" and M270 multiple launch rocket systems. In June this year, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a US$3 billion procurement contract for the 2026 fiscal year, covering standard and extended-range GMLRS rockets. Approximately 200 employees at the Kangden factory are responsible for GMLRS production, and the factory is planning to increase its manpower by 50%. The GMLRS program covers more than 200 suppliers in 35 states in the United States, of which more than 50 are small businesses.
The picture shows the US military's Haima system. (European News Agency file photo)
[Reporter Wu Zheyu/Comprehensive Report] Lockheed Martin, a major U.S. military manufacturer, announced that its factory in Camden, Arkansas, has completed the production of its 100,000th GMLRS precision-guided rocket, and has reached its annual production capacity goal of nearly 14,000 rockets ahead of schedule. This rocket can be launched by the US military's HIMARS and M270 multiple launch rocket systems. As the US military and allies continue to expand long-range precision firepower, Lockheed Martin is also simultaneously expanding its production lines and key component supply chains.
The military news website "Defence Blog" reported that the company held a commemorative ceremony at the Kangden factory on the 10th to celebrate the cumulative production of GMLRS exceeding 100,000 pieces. In June this year, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a purchase contract worth US$3 billion (approximately NT$96 billion) for the 2026 fiscal year, covering standard and extended-range GMLRS rockets, showing that the U.S. military continues to invest a large amount of money to supplement precision strike munitions.
It is worth noting that Lockheed Martin currently claims that the annual output of GMLRS is close to 14,000 pieces, a significant increase from about 8,000 pieces two years ago. However, the company stated in October 2025 that its annual output had reached 14,000 pieces, and the latest number was actually slightly lower than what it said at the time.
Currently, there are about 200 employees in the Kangdon factory responsible for the production of GMLRS, and the entire factory is planning to increase manpower by 50%, because in addition to GMLRS, PAC-3 MSE air defense interceptor missiles and "Precision Strike Missile" (PrSM) are also accelerating mass production.
In terms of supply chain, Lockheed Martin pointed out that the GMLRS program currently covers more than 200 suppliers in 35 states in the United States, of which more than 50 are small enterprises. In order to further improve production capacity and supply stability, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GD-OTS) has also completed the first test of the new GMLRS solid-state rocket engine. If it successfully passes certification, it will become the third supplier of related key components in the United States.
Currently, GMLRS rocket engines are mainly supplied by L3Harris and Northrop Grumman. Among them, L3Harris only received an engine order worth US$250 million from Lockheed Martin in October this year, and is building a new factory in Condon to further expand production capacity.
Lockheed Martin said General Dynamics' new solid-state rocket engine will continue to undergo testing and aims to complete qualification certification in 2027. With the simultaneous increase in production of GMLRS, PAC-3 MSE and PrSM, the United States is strengthening its long-term production capabilities of precision missiles and rockets by expanding factories, increasing manpower, and establishing diversified supply sources.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
General Dynamics’ new solid-state rocket engine will complete qualification certification in 2027, becoming the third U.S. supplier of GMLRS key components
Likely · Within months
The Kangden factory will increase manpower by 50% to support the simultaneous increase in production of GMLRS, PAC-3 MSE and PrSM
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the specific delivery schedule for the 100,000th GMLRS rocket?
- What are the specific timetable and recruitment plan details for increasing the manpower of the Kangdon factory by 50%?
- What specific challenges will the certification process for General Dynamics’ new solid-state rocket engines face?
- What are the specific costs and investment details for increasing the annual output of GMLRS from about 8,000 pieces two years ago to nearly 14,000 pieces?
