Jane Edwards 
- Lockheed has partnered with Avio to bolster solid rocket motor supply
- Initial production will support ER GMLRS and PrSM
- Avio USA will build the motors at its Hurt, Virginia, facility
Lockheed Martin and Avio have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to produce solid rocket motors and expand the U.S. SRM industrial base.
Lockheed said Tuesday the collaboration will add manufacturing capacity to the SRM industrial base and strengthen the U.S. defense supply chain for munitions used by U.S. and allied forces.
What Is the Scope of the Cooperation Agreement?
Once qualification is complete, the companies will begin producing SRMs for two Lockheed munitions: the Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, or ER GMLRS, and the Precision Strike Missile, or PrSM.
Avio USA will carry out the production work at its new facility in Hurt, Virginia, drawing on the solid propulsion experience of its parent company, Avio.
The agreement covers the following:
- Supply access: Lockheed will secure a portion of Avio’s merchant SRM supply capacity for ER GMLRS and PrSM production.
- Supply chain flexibility: The arrangement aims to provide a reliable source of SRMs as customer demand increases and to support mission readiness across global operations.
- Added production lines: The effort will support the expansion of dedicated lines and resources for SRM manufacturing to meet emerging operational requirements.
- Faster munition deliveries: Lockheed said the expanded capacity will allow it to increase ER GMLRS and PrSM output and deliver larger munition volumes to warfighters and combatant commands.
What Did Lockheed & Avio Leaders Say About the Agreement?
“This strategic cooperation agreement with Avio enables us to speed up production of essential capabilities, ensuring our customers maintain their competitive edge against emerging threats,” said Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed’s missiles and fire control business.
James Syring, CEO of Avio USA, said the agreement marks a milestone for the company as well as the facility and team it is building in Virginia.
“It gives us tremendous momentum as we continue construction, grow our U.S. workforce and prepare to begin manufacturing,” Syring added.
Avio CEO Giulio Ranzo noted that the company will apply its full expertise to help Lockheed increase production volumes and supply chain resiliency.
How Does the Latest Agreement Build on Lockheed & Avio’s Earlier Work?
The strategic cooperation agreement follows a non-binding term sheet Lockheed and Avio signed in November 2025 to support a new U.S. solid rocket motor facility. Avio signed a memorandum of understanding with Raytheon at the same time.
In September, Avio USA broke ground on its first U.S. solid rocket motor facility in Hurt, Virginia. The facility is expected to span about 900,000 square feet, with construction set to finish by the end of 2028 and weapon production slated to begin in early 2029.
The agreement comes as the Department of War works to expand the munitions industrial base. In June, President Trump invoked the Defense Production Act to let munitions manufacturers coordinate with the Pentagon on supply chain and production challenges through voluntary agreements, including efforts to increase solid rocket motor capacity. Trump said in September that the U.S. has 18 munitions plants under construction.
