New Lockheed Martin Facility to Support Next Generation Interceptor Program

Bethesda, Maryland-based defense company Lockheed Martin has opened a $16.5 million missile engineering facility at its campus in Huntsville, Alabama.

The Missile System Integration Lab will serve as a development, testing and system integration venue for the Next Generation Interceptor, Lockheed said Tuesday. The NGI is a long-range ballistic defense missile interceptor for the Missile Defense Agency.

According to Lockheed, the MSIL will house a digital engineering center to enhance integration efforts.

In September, the company concluded a preliminary design review for the NGI that incorporated digital engineering tools.

Robert Lightfoot, executive vice president of the company’s space unit and a 4×24 member, said the facility demonstrates Lockheed’s commitment to the North Alabama region.

Meanwhile, Sarah Reeves, Lockheed’s vice president of NGI, said the facility reflects investments in risk-reducing capabilities for NGI. She added that the MSIL advances the program closer to flight testing and production.

Lockheed is also planning to build missile production space and a payload manufacturing center in Courtland, Alabama.