Lockheed Martin Opens Alabama Factory for Next Generation Interceptor Production
Lockheed Martin opened an 88,000-square-foot Missile Assembly Building 5 in Courtland, Alabama, on June 1 to produce the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. The NGI, part of the Pentagon’s Golden Dome missile defense shield, will replace aging Ground-Based Interceptors. The $17 billion contract for 20 interceptors faces an 18-month delay due to supply chain issues, with initial deliveries expected in 2028 and flight tests in 2029. The facility uses digital twin technology and scalable production lines.
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Lockheed Martin Opens NGI Missile Assembly Plant in Alabama
Lockheed Martin has opened a new 88,000-square-foot missile assembly facility, Missile Assembly Building 5 (MAB-5), in Courtland, Alabama, dedicated to producing the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) for the US Missile Defense Agency. The facility uses advanced digital manufacturing processes, including digital twin technology, and draws best practices from THAAD and hypersonic programs to boost efficiency and quality. General Mike Guetlein, director of Golden Dome for America, called the facility a 'critical asset' to national security. The NGI is an open-system interceptor designed for rapid technology upgrades without removal from its silo. The plant's opening underscores Lockheed Martin's long-term presence in North Alabama, where it has operated since 1963. The company also recently began construction of a Munitions Production Center in Troy, Alabama, to support NGI hardware integration and large-scale manufacturing.
Airforce TechnologyLockheed Martin Opens Next Generation Interceptor Missile Assembly Plant in Alabama
Lockheed Martin has opened a new 88,000-square-foot missile assembly facility, Missile Assembly Building 5 (MAB-5), in Courtland, Alabama, dedicated to producing the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The facility incorporates digital twin technology and best practices from THAAD and hypersonic programs to boost production efficiency and quality. General Mike Guetlein, director of Golden Dome for America, called the facility a 'critical asset' to national security. The NGI is an open-system interceptor designed for rapid upgrades without removal from its silo. The program is transitioning from design to production, with core technologies undergoing testing ahead of Critical Design Review. Lockheed Martin has operated in North Alabama since 1963 and recently began construction of a Munitions Production Center in Troy, Alabama, which will also support NGI production.
Airforce TechnologyLockheed Martin Opens New NGI Missile Assembly Plant in Alabama
Lockheed Martin has opened a new 88,000-square-foot missile assembly facility, Missile Assembly Building 5 (MAB-5), in Courtland, Alabama, dedicated to producing the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) for the US Missile Defense Agency. The facility incorporates advanced digital manufacturing processes, including digital twin methodology and automation, drawing best practices from THAAD and hypersonic programs. General Mike Guetlein, director of Golden Dome for America, called the facility a 'critical asset' to national security. The NGI is an open-system interceptor designed for rapid technology upgrades without removal from its silo. The plant is part of Lockheed Martin's broader expansion in North Alabama, including a new Munitions Production Center in Troy and a Hypersonics System Integration Lab in Huntsville. The NGI program is transitioning from design to production, with core technologies undergoing testing ahead of Critical Design Review.
Airforce TechnologyLockheed Martin Opens Alabama Factory for Next Generation Interceptor Production
Lockheed Martin inaugurated the 88,000-square-foot Missile Assembly Building 5 (MAB-5) in Courtland, Alabama, dedicated to manufacturing the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI). The NGI is designed to replace the aging Ground-Based Interceptors currently deployed in Alaska and California as part of the U.S. homeland missile defense system. The facility is a key component of the Golden Dome for America program, a Department of War initiative to build a next-generation layered missile defense shield. The NGI features a modular open architecture that allows for in-silo upgrades without removing the interceptor, addressing evolving threats from nations like North Korea. The facility employs digital twin methodology and draws best practices from Lockheed's THAAD and hypersonics programs. Program director Gen. Mike Guetlein emphasized the urgency and real-world nature of the project, stating the shield is being built now in Courtland.
The Defence Blog – Military and Defense NewsLockheed Opens Scalable Factory to Build Next Generation Interceptor
Lockheed Martin opened a new scalable assembly facility in Courtland, Alabama on June 1 to produce the Next-Generation Interceptor (NGI), designed to protect the U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles. The digital-centric production line can be expanded based on Pentagon demand. The Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed a $17 billion contract in 2024 for 20 interceptors, replacing the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System. The NGI is expected to play a key role in the Pentagon's Golden Dome missile defense shield, which requests nearly $18 billion in fiscal 2027. The program faces an 18-month delay due to supply chain issues and solid rocket motor design problems, with initial deliveries now expected in 2028 and flight tests in 2029. Lockheed is investing $250 million in expanding its Alabama missile defense footprint, including a new THAAD production facility in Troy.
Air & Space Forces MagazineLockheed Opens Scalable Factory in Alabama to Build Next Generation Interceptor
Lockheed Martin opened a new assembly facility in Courtland, Alabama on June 1 to produce the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI), designed to protect the U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles. The facility features a digital-centric, scalable production line that can be expanded based on Pentagon demand. The Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed a $17 billion contract in 2024 to develop and deliver 20 NGI interceptors, which will replace the existing Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System. The NGI is expected to play a key role in the Pentagon's Golden Dome missile defense shield, which has a requested $18 billion for fiscal 2027 and a projected $185 billion total cost. MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins stated the program is on track to transition from design phase by end of 2025, with initial deliveries in 2028 and flight tests in 2029, despite an 18-month delay linked to supply chain disruptions and solid rocket motor issues. The facility is part of Lockheed's $250 million investment in expanding its missile defense footprint in northern Alabama.
Air & Space Forces MagazineLockheed Opens Scalable Factory to Build Next Generation Interceptor
Lockheed Martin opened a new assembly facility in Courtland, Alabama on June 1 to produce the Next-Generation Interceptor (NGI), designed to protect the U.S. from intercontinental ballistic missiles. The facility features a digital-centric, scalable production line that can be expanded based on Pentagon demand. The Missile Defense Agency awarded Lockheed a $17 billion contract in 2024 to develop and deliver 20 NGI interceptors, which will replace the existing Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System. The NGI is expected to play a key role in the Pentagon's Golden Dome missile defense shield, which has a requested $18 billion for fiscal 2027 and a planned $185 billion total spend. The program faces an 18-month delay due to supply chain disruptions and solid rocket motor design issues, but MDA Director Lt. Gen. Heath Collins reported progress, with design phase completion expected by end of 2025, initial deliveries in 2028, and flight tests in 2029. The facility is part of Lockheed's $250 million investment in expanding missile defense production in northern Alabama.
Air & Space Forces Magazine