Lockheed Martin is scaling up its Grand Prairie, Texas, operations with a $300 million investment and a new partnership with automation firm Hadrian. The project aims to accelerate the production of critical defense components, adding 2,000 local jobs as part of a broader 6,000-person hiring surge across the United States.
The expansion adds nearly 200,000 square feet to the Grand Prairie facility, pushing its total footprint beyond 735,000 square feet. This site serves as a vital hub for Missiles and Fire Control programs, including PAC-3 MSE, THAAD, and PrSM. By converting former office space into high-precision manufacturing zones, the company has already installed 30 new machines, with plans to reach 100 additions by the end of 2026.
A central component of this growth is the integration of Hadrian’s automated machining cells. Expected to be operational by early 2027, the 24-machine system will inject commercial-style manufacturing efficiency directly into the defense production line. Lockheed Martin CEO Jim Taiclet emphasized that this strategy combines commercial speed with the company’s existing combat-proven expertise to meet rising demand.
This initiative represents a fraction of Lockheed Martin’s $8–9 billion commitment to modernize or expand over 20 facilities through 2030. According to Michael P. Duffey of the Department of War, the move is designed to fortify the industrial base and provide the necessary throughput for modern defense requirements. The Grand Prairie site, which currently employs 800 production workers, produced 250,000 parts in 2025 and is now positioned to reach record output levels as these new automated capabilities come online.
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