Lockheed and General Dynamics Tested Rocket Motor
The partnership successfully tested a new GMLRS solid rocket motor for U.S. military supply expansion.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Military Jobs
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Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics have successfully tested a new solid rocket motor for the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS). This milestone shifts the project from manufacturing preparations into physical testing, supporting efforts to scale up domestic ammunition output.
Why it matters
The partnership aims to establish a robust domestic manufacturing source to eliminate production bottlenecks and dependence on single suppliers. Increasing output is essential for sustaining rocket artillery operations during conflicts and replenishing national stockpiles.
The U.S. Army aims to procure 133,014 GMLRS rockets through 2034, with production capacity rising from 10,000 in 2024 to 14,000 in 2025. Standard units feature a range exceeding 70 kilometers and carry a 90-kilogram high-explosive warhead.
The players
Lockheed Martin
This global aerospace and defense company is a primary contractor for the U.S. military and produces the HIMARS and M270 rocket systems.
General Dynamics
This defense corporation specializes in combat vehicles and weapons systems and has partnered to expand domestic rocket motor production.
U.S. Army
The service branch is responsible for the land-based operations that utilize the HIMARS and M270 systems for long-range precision strikes.
The details
The test featured a rocket motor loaded with solid propellant developed through a collaborative effort between the two aerospace giants. Future production is slated for a facility in Camden, Arkansas, as the motor must pass final qualification requirements before becoming a standard component of regular ammunition output.
Timeline
August 2024: Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics formed a teaming agreement.
2024: Annual GMLRS production capacity reached approximately 10,000 rockets.
2025: Planned annual production capacity reached 14,000 rockets.
October 9, 2026: The testing advancement was publicly disclosed.
Through 2034: The Army target period for 133,014 GMLRS rockets.
Market Landscape
This collaboration signals a strategic shift to reduce reliance on single-source suppliers in the precision-guided munitions sector. It aligns with broader efforts to meet the U.S. Defense Production Act mandates by hardening domestic industrial capacity against global supply chain volatility.
While these developments focus on military stockpiles, the scaling of domestic manufacturing at sites like Camden, Arkansas, supports job growth and infrastructure investment in the defense sector. The increased capacity ensures the military can maintain operational readiness for long-term strategic needs.
The takeaway
This partnership represents a critical step in modernizing the domestic defense industrial base for high-demand precision munitions. By diversifying manufacturing, the U.S. reduces the risk of supply chain disruptions for essential rocket artillery systems.
Further reading
For more information on the industrial requirements for these defense programs, visit the United States Military Jobs section.
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