Lockheed Martin has inaugurated a facility in Texas to enhance the development, evaluation, and testbed work in support of US defense programs.
Located in Dallas, the Rapid Fielding Center is built as a “flexible, modular environment” that allows fabrication of critical prototypes at pace in response to short procurement timelines.
It features a dedicated manufacturing floor and advanced production equipment, with assistance from technical experts for real-time assessment and adjustments.
The site also includes life-cycle data recording along prototyping stages for continuous improvement, optimizing solution transfer to final assembly lines within months rather than years.
The company noted that its newly integrated process through the center will sustain technology supply to the military on schedule and at lower costs.
“The Rapid Fielding Center showcases how Lockheed Martin is leading the industry with innovation, speed and a relentless customer focus,” said Randy Crites, vice president of advanced programs at Lockheed Martin.
“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.”
Investing in ‘Decisive Advantage’
The Rapid Fielding Center is part of a Lockheed Martin investment valued at $7 billion to expand capacity for priority systems, including about $2 billion to speed up ammunition yield.
The enterprise plans further multibillion-dollar investments in the next three years to modernize more than 20 facilities across Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Massachusetts, and Florida.
“Over the coming months, our multidisciplinary teams will work hand in hand with US partners to execute additional prototype runs, integrate emerging technologies and transition capabilities to full-rate production,” Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Operations VP Mike Patton commented.
“The Rapid Fielding Center gives our customers the agility, flexibility and discreet mobility they require to maintain decisive advantage across any operational domain.”
