New Lockheed Martin missile defense lab now open

Lockheed Martin’s new missile defense lab in Huntsville opened this week. The Missile System Integration Lab will be used in the development and systems integration of the Next Generation Interceptor for the Missile Defense Agency.

The $16.5 million facility opened Tuesday.

What we know about the new Lockheed Martin facility

The new Missile System Integration Lab (MSIL) is where Lockheed plans to conduct development, testing, and system integration for the nation’s next long range ballistic missile defense interceptor – the Next Generation Interceptor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

Here are some more details:

• The facility’s construction costs came to $16.5 million.
• The new lab is approximately 25,000 square feet.
• The MSIL will also house a digital engineering center and key infrastructure to create and maintain a digital thread throughout the integration process.
• The new lab’s concept is strengthened by the company’s decades of experience and expertise supporting the U.S. missile defense mission, across the product life-cycle and all phases of flight.

“This facility serves as a test bed to prove out our hardware and software integration, adding new levels of digital capability, agility and connectivity with our customers. It is another example of Lockheed Martin’s investment in the technology and advanced facilities critical to reducing risk for our NGI program. The MSIL brings us even closer to flight testing and production of our interceptor, which will revolutionize U.S. homeland missile defense.”

Sarah Reeves, vice president of NGI at Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin’s expansion in Alabama

The company is also planning to break ground this year on two state-of-the-art facilities in Courtland, Alabama, which will add missile production space and a payload manufacturing center supporting its growing portfolio of capabilities in the state.

“Lockheed Martin is committed to North Alabama and this facility is further evidence of that. We are pleased to celebrate adding an advanced facility to our Huntsville campus today — the same year we mark 60 years in the Rocket City supporting our customers.”

Robert Lightfoot, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Space

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