Elodie Collins 
Lockheed Martin has opened a new facility designed to accelerate the development, testing and prototype production of next-generation defense capabilities. The company said Tuesday that the Rapid Fielding Center is integrated with manufacturing, enabling faster feedback on design.
What Are the Features of Lockheed’s Rapid Fielding Center?
According to the company, the Rapid Fielding Center is equipped with advanced prototyping technologies to quickly develop and scale new capabilities to meet U.S. government customer requirements.
“From concept to low-rate production, we can now deliver mission-critical solutions in a fraction of the traditional timeline, directly supporting the government’s urgent ramp-up needs,” Randy Crites, vice president for advanced programs at Lockheed Martin, stated.
Additionally, the facility uses modular production spaces that can be quickly reconfigured based on program needs.
“Over the coming months, our multidisciplinary teams will work hand in hand with U.S. partners to execute additional prototype runs, integrate emerging technologies and transition capabilities to full-rate production,” Mike Patton, vice president of operations at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, shared. “The Rapid Fielding Center gives our customers the agility, flexibility and discreet mobility they require to maintain decisive advantage across any operational domain.”
How Is Lockheed Martin Helping Expand US Defense Production Capacity?
The Rapid Fielding Center is part of Lockheed Martin’s broader effort to expand its capacity for critical systems.
The company recently signed an agreement with the Department of War to accelerate missile production and ensure that the U.S. defense industrial base is on a wartime footing.
In December, Lockheed revealed plans for the Missile Assembly Building-5, an 88,000-square-foot facility dedicated to delivering the Next Generation Interceptor to the Missile Defense Agency.
Lockheed has committed to make multibillion-dollar investments in the coming years to continue expanding production and modernizing its facilities in Texas, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas and Massachusetts.
