L3Harris to invest $1 billion to expand solid rocket motor production in Orange County, Virginia

L3Harris Technologies will further expand solid rocket motor production in Orange County, Virginia, through the creation of the Virginia Advanced Propulsion Facilities, an initiative announced alongside Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the Orange County Board of Supervisors. The project, valued at more than $1 billion and building on a previously announced expansion at the site, is expected to more than double manufacturing space and add more than 350 jobs over the next five years.

“L3Harris’ continued investments in solid rocket motor facilities are bolstering manufacturing capacity for key national defense programs,” said Ken Bedingfield, President, Missile Solutions, L3Harris. “With a talented workforce and a community committed to long-term success, our expanded presence in Virginia will deliver additional capability to the Department of War and our allies.”

“I congratulate L3Harris on its historic expansion in Central Virginia,” said Gov. Spanberger. “With a deep talent pipeline and strong track record in the defense and advanced manufacturing sectors, the Commonwealth is ready to fill the hundreds of new positions coming to Orange County. L3Harris exemplifies the kind of partnership that builds the future of Virginia, and we look forward to celebrating this investment for many years to come.”

The company plans to add new buildings and capabilities at the Orange County campus to support solid rocket motor production operations, including mixing, grinding, casting and final assembly, spanning multiple programs. The new effort will expand the site’s role, which currently includes 256,000 square feet of manufacturing space and serves as a Center of Excellence for propellant research and small- to medium-sized solid rocket motor production.

“On behalf of the Board of Supervisors and our Economic Development team, we are thrilled to recognize and support L3Harris’ $1.265 Billion expansion and the creation of 350+ new jobs in Orange County. This is a transformational announcement that will benefit Orange County for decades,” said Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bryan Nicol. “L3Harris has been an important, long-time member of our business community – making their growth and continued investment here particularly gratifying. This project is a recognition of Orange County’s strong business climate, its economic vitality and our region’s qualified workforce. The Board is grateful to be receiving a grant from Governor Spanberger’s Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund and support from the General Assembly’s Major Employment Investment Project Approval Commission to bring this opportunity to the Commonwealth.”

“I’m pleased to see L3Harris expanding its operations in Virginia, bringing hundreds of good-paying jobs to Orange County while strengthening manufacturing capacity for critical national defense programs,” said Rep. Eugene Vindman, D-Va. “This investment will more than double their footprint and build on a long track record of success in the region. I look forward to continuing to partner with L3Harris to support this growth, create new opportunities for our workforce, and advance the aerospace innovation that drives both our economy and our national security.”

In addition to the Orange County expansion, L3Harris is modernizing and growing solid rocket motor production at facilities in Camden, Arkansas, and Huntsville, Alabama, with investments in new facilities, equipment and processes designed to scale output by two to four times across key programs.