The Department of War announced a series of new agreements Wednesday aimed at rapidly increasing U.S. weapons production capacity. The move is part of a broader strategy to place the defense industrial base on a "wartime footing" and build what officials are calling the "Arsenal of Freedom."
One key agreement involves Lockheed Martin accelerating production of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), a long-range weapon capable of striking targets up to 499 kilometers away. Lockheed will invest in advanced tooling, factory upgrades, and testing equipment to reduce delays and ensure faster delivery of critical systems.
Boosting Supply Chain Capacity
Separate agreements were reached with Honeywell Aerospace and BAE Systems to surge production of munitions components and missile defense systems. Honeywell’s $500 million investment will expand manufacturing capacity for navigation systems, actuators, and electronic warfare technologies, while BAE Systems will quadruple production of a key component for the THAAD missile defense system.
"Our strategy is to provide long-term demand signals that unlock private investment, and this half-billion-dollar commitment from Honeywell Aerospace demonstrates we are succeeding," said Michael Duffey, Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment.
The initiatives are part of the Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy and the Munitions Acceleration Council’s efforts to remove production bottlenecks. Officials emphasized that the agreements are designed to strengthen the entire supply chain and ensure U.S. military capabilities outpace potential adversaries.