Summary
Tim Cahill, Lockheed Martin's president for missiles and fire control, discusses the company's expansion of THAAD interceptor production in Troy, Alabama, and the broader effort to rapidly resupply the U.S. missile stockpile. He details the Pentagon's large munitions commitment, supply chain bottlenecks, and the need for cost-effective counter-drone systems. Cahill also addresses competition from new entrants and Lockheed's partnerships to accelerate innovation.
- Lockheed Martin is quadrupling THAAD interceptor output with a new facility in Troy, Alabama.
- The Pentagon is driving a $9 billion investment to ramp up missile production across the defense industrial base.
- Supply chain constraints include materials like titanium and advanced circuit boards.
- Lockheed is buying ahead of components like CPUs and memory to preempt shortages.
- Cahill highlights the cost asymmetry of using expensive missiles against cheap drones and the need for cheaper counter-UAS systems.
- Lockheed is incorporating innovations from Ukraine and new entrants to accelerate development.
- Cahill sees competition as healthy and is open to partnerships with startups.
- Lockheed sells to the U.S. government and allies, with operations in about 60 countries.