L3Harris Technologies Receives $6 Billion THAAD Propulsion Contract

L3Harris Technologies has received a contract from Lockheed Martin valued at more than $6 billion over seven years to expand propulsion production for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system.

The award, which excludes escalation costs, supports a broader effort to increase production capacity for the missile defense program.

The contract follows a framework agreement announced earlier this year between L3Harris and the Department of War to quadruple THAAD propulsion production.

L3Harris is also expanding production of propulsion systems for the PAC-3 MSE interceptor, with the two programs forming part of the company's broader investment in missile defense manufacturing capacity.

L3Harris plans to construct a new facility for increased production of THAAD solid rocket boost motors while expanding capacity for the system's liquid divert and attitude control components.

The company said the investments are intended to increase output and support faster delivery of propulsion systems as demand for missile defense capabilities grows.

L3Harris Missile Solutions President Kenneth Bedingfield said the award reflects the company's ability to scale critical defense technologies while its facility expansions and propulsion investments are designed to support increased production requirements.

THAAD is designed to intercept short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats both inside and outside Earth's atmosphere. The system has recorded a 100% intercept success rate in flight tests since entering production, according to L3Harris, and is operated as a key component of U.S. and allied missile defense architectures.

Image Credit: L3Harris