L3Harris wins $6 billion THAAD propulsion contract

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

The award follows a framework agreement announced earlier this year with the Department of War to quadruple THAAD propulsion production. The deal, along with a recently released PAC-3 MSE propulsion contract, is consistent with the company’s previously announced expectations for both programs.

“This contract underscores L3Harris’ demonstrated ability to quickly deliver critical defense technologies at the scale and speed required by the Department of War,” said Ken Bedingfield, President, Missile Solutions, L3Harris. “Our planned facility expansions, along with ongoing investments across our propulsion portfolio, will ensure we remain ready to support the nation’s most important missile defense missions and continue to enable a wartime footing.”

L3Harris plans to construct a new facility to support increased THAAD Solid Rocket Boost Motor manufacturing and is expanding capacity for THAAD’s Liquid Divert and Attitude Control production.

“L3Harris is proud to partner with Lockheed Martin to significantly scale production of these vital interceptors, providing warfighters with the reliable, proven capabilities they need to defeat a range of threats,” Bedingfield added.

THAAD is described as one of the nation’s most advanced missile defense systems, capable of intercepting threats inside and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. It has achieved a 100% intercept success rate in flight tests since production began, providing defense against short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.