L3Harris Technologies is expanding production capacity for the US Army’s PAC-3 missile propulsion systems by constructing two additional facilities at its Arkansas Advanced Propulsion Facilities (AAPF) campus in Camden, Arkansas.
The AAPF campus specializes in the production of medium- and large-scale solid rocket motors used in a variety of defense systems, including tactical missiles, air defense interceptors, hypersonic platforms, and missile defense targets. Following an announcement made in July 2025, the company began construction of the two self-funded facilities, which will comprise a 75,000-square-foot cast, cure, and final assembly building and a separate 70,000-square-foot case preparation facility.
The new facilities will incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies designed to accelerate production rates and increase output of PAC-3 propulsion systems. These enhancements include artificial intelligence-enabled automated X-ray inspection systems for rapid defect detection, fully automated casting processes, and expanded curing capabilities.
The expansion supports increased production of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor program, for which Lockheed Martin serves as the prime contractor and manufacturer. L3Harris provides several critical components for the system, including the advanced two-pulse solid rocket motor, Attitude Control Motors (ACMs), and the Lethality Enhancer.
Following a landmark agreement reached between the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin in January to more than triple PAC-3 MSE missile production, L3Harris announced a series of investments aimed at expanding its missile propulsion manufacturing capacity. These initiatives include an additional billion-dollar expansion of its solid rocket motor facility in Orange County, Virginia, a $1 billion investment commitment from the Pentagon secured in April, and a partnership with a state-owned Polish defense company to manufacture Attitude Control Motors.
