Rocket motor company breaks ground in Camden on four plants

L3Harris Technologies began construction Thursday (Feb. 20) on four new solid rocket motor production facilities at the company’s Camden site in south Arkansas.

The expansion is part of a $215.6 million cooperative agreement between the Defense Department’s Defense Production Act Title III program and L3Harris to increase domestic rocket propulsion manufacturing capacity as demand grows for tactical and strategic missile capabilities. The new facilities will incorporate modern equipment and processes.

“Expanding solid rocket motor production in Arkansas is a strategic investment in our nation’s security at a time when defense and deterrence are increasingly critical on the global stage,” said Ken Bedingfield, president, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris. “Our propulsion is a key enabler of the ‘Arsenal of Democracy 2.0,’ and L3Harris is committed to ramping up production to support the defense of our nation, its allies and partners.”

Construction in Camden will include a 60,000-square-foot facility that will centralize production of a key program under one roof, cutting the distance motors travel during manufacturing by 80%. The expansion will also include a dedicated mixer building, as well as complementary propellant processing buildings to support increased motor production.

“Aerospace is Arkansas’ largest export industry, and my administration is working hard to grow Camden’s reputation as an aerospace powerhouse, not just in Arkansas but around the country and the world,” said Gov. Sarah Sanders. “This announcement reinforces Camden’s role in Arkansas’ economy and America’s national defense, and I am grateful for L3Harris’ continued commitment to the Natural State.”

Since signing the cooperative agreement with the Defense Department, L3Harris has finalized building designs, created plans for undeveloped property across multiple sites, and purchased new equipment. New tooling and equipment have already contributed to increased motor production.

“This effort is an imperative step forward to tackle the department’s solid rocket motor needs,” said Anthony Di Stasio, acting deputy assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Resilience. “By expanding and modernizing its manufacturing capabilities, L3Harris will increase and speed up production to more rapidly address current demands and help replenish U.S. stockpiles in the future.”

“L3Harris is building the future of its solid rocket production in Arkansas, and we are excited to see this growth take off,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “L3Harris is an industry leader in the aerospace sector, and our state welcomes their continued expansion. This is a milestone for L3Harris, the state of Arkansas, and the south Arkansas region, and we congratulate everyone on this major announcement.”

The company is also modernizing and expanding solid rocket motor facilities under the cooperative agreement in two additional states. L3Harris will build new facilities in Orange County, Va., to support increased production and will transition production of inert components for critical missile systems to Huntsville, Ala.