On October 13, 2026, Avio USA and Lockheed Martin signed a strategic cooperation agreement under which Avio will manufacture solid rocket motors for Lockheed’s Extended Range GMLRS and Precision Strike Missile programs. The deal is intended to provide Lockheed with an additional supplier for PrSM motors and to add capacity for the popular GMLRS round once those motors are fully qualified. Both companies described the arrangement as supportive of their respective goals.
The same day, Avio broke ground on its first American manufacturing plant. Located in Virginia, the facility will cover 900,000 square feet and is slated to begin production of solid rocket motors in 2029. The groundbreaking marked the start of Avio’s effort to establish a domestic source for the motors called for in the agreement.
Avio, Lockheed sign agreement for solid rocket motor production https://t.co/JtjCLmSCz4
Solid rocket motors have historically been a chokepoint for the munitions industry. By securing a second source for PrSM motors and extra capacity for GMLRS, the Avio‑Lockheed partnership seeks to ease that bottleneck and improve the resilience of the supply chain.
According to the timeline disclosed, the plant is expected to start building motors in 2029, after the necessary qualification work is completed.
The new Virginia plant will span 900,000 square feet, a size meant to support the qualification and eventual manufacture of the solid rocket motors required for both the Extended Range GMLRS and the Precision Strike Missile. According to the timeline disclosed, the plant is expected to start building motors in 2029, after the necessary qualification work is completed.
Observers from across the defense sector took note of the deal. Anduril, L3Harris, and Northrop Grumman were described as neutral, indicating they were watching the development without taking a public position. Avio and Lockheed Martin were characterized as supportive, reflecting their active roles in shaping the agreement and the plant construction.
He said, “They’re essentially reserving capacity,” highlighting the arrangement’s role in securing future production capability. He also noted, “It’s a win for us and it’s a win for Lockheed,” underscoring the mutual benefit perceived by the parties. Tim Cahill added that the agreement “enables us to speed up production of essential capabilities, ensuring our customers maintain their competitive edge against emerging threats,” pointing to the broader strategic advantage of expanding motor output.
As of the October 2026 signing and groundbreaking, the Avio‑Lockheed effort is in its early stages, with the Virginia plant still under construction and slated to begin motor production in 2029.