Leidos mobilizes supply chain to scale production of thousands of U.S. cruise missiles
Initial Havoc Spear deliveries are underway, while a separate summer 2026 contract covers 45 missiles.
Sentiment and the balance of points
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Rhea-AI Summary
Leidos (LDOS) brought missile-component suppliers together to prepare for expanded production of its Low-Cost Containerized Missile and AGM-190A Havoc Spear.
The work supports a May 13 framework agreement with the Department of War for an initial 3,000 LCCM weapons. Leidos expects first LCCM deliveries for testing and evaluation in 2027, with full-rate production anticipated in 2028 and 2029. Initial AGM-190A deliveries to Air Force Special Operations Command are underway. A separate summer 2026 U.S. Special Operations Command award covers 45 missiles, with deliveries expected to begin in fall 2027. Production work will primarily be in Huntsville, Alabama, and McEwen, Tennessee, with suppliers working in 14 states.
How this balance works
Rhea-AI gives every point it takes from this document a weight. Minor counts 1, Moderate 3 and Major 9, so one Major point outweighs several Minor ones. The bar adds up the weights on each side, and when neither side holds more than 65% of the total the balance reads Mixed.
It reads the document as published, with the same rules for every company, and it does not look at what the market expected or at how the stock traded, so a point can be objectively good on a day the stock falls.
Rhea-AI Sentiment measures something else, the tone of the wording.
Hollow bars mark forward-looking points. How the balance works
Positive
- Moderate pointDepartment of War framework agreement covers an initial 3,000 LCCM weapons.
- Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Leidos expects first LCCM test deliveries in 2027, with full-rate production anticipated in 2028 and 2029.
- Minor pointAGM-190A initial deliveries to Air Force Special Operations Command are underway.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Summer 2026 U.S. Special Operations Command award covers 45 missiles; deliveries are expected from fall 2027.
- Minor pointLeidos is investing in people, facilities and supply chain to scale cruise missile production.
Negative
- Minor pointThe initial 3,000-weapon LCCM agreement remains a framework agreement rather than a stated production contract.
Key Figures
- Initial LCCM weapons
- 3,000 weapons
- Department of War framework agreement
- Supplier footprint
- 14 states
- States where suppliers will do work
- First LCCM deliveries
- 2027
- Expected to support test and evaluation
- LCCM full-rate production
- 2028 and 2029
- Anticipated production timing
- AGM-190A contract award
- 45 missiles
- Summer 2026 award from U.S. Special Operations Command
- Deliveries under AGM-190A award
- Fall 2027
- Expected start of deliveries under the 45-missile award
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
The summit, held September 26 at Leidos' global headquarters, aligned industry partners on requirements, manufacturing capacity, timelines and delivery schedules. That work supports the May 13 framework agreement between the Department of War and Leidos for an initial 3,000 LCCM weapons, which is expected to advance the nation's long-range strike capacity. It also supports the combat-proven AGM-190A Havoc Spear cruise missile, as initial deliveries to Air Force Special Operations Command are now underway.
Leidos perspective: "The nationwide Leidos cruise missile supply chain team is putting in place the robust plans and resources that'll allow us quickly scale cruise missile production," said Leidos Defense President Cindy Gruensfelder. "We're investing in our people, facilities, and supply chain to deliver proven capability to warfighters with a real sense of urgency."
Scaling for America's security:
- Industrial capacity: Leidos' LCCM and AGM-190A production work will primarily be in
Huntsville, Alabama , andMcEwen, Tennessee . Its suppliers will do work in 14 states across the country.
What's next:
- LCCM: The first missiles are expected to be delivered in 2027 to support test and evaluation, with full-rate production anticipated in 2028 and 2029.
- AGM-190A Havoc Spear: Leidos has begun initial deliveries to Air Force Special Operations Command and received a summer 2026 contract award from
U.S . Special Operations Command for 45 missiles, with deliveries under that award expected to begin in fall 2027.
Supplier perspectives:
- "Demand has never been higher, and our customers are counting on us to deliver dependable propulsion for today's operational fleets and future programs," said Jessica Villardi, vice president of Fighter and Mobility Programs at Pratt & Whitney. "Pratt & Whitney is investing in capacity and advanced manufacturing to strengthen the industrial base and accelerate delivery of the proven, dependable power our customers need."
- "I think this is going to be the new paradigm going forward in delivering capability to the Department of War," said Ben Nicholson, Chief Commercial Officer for Divergent. "After a more than 30-year career in D.C., I haven't seen a prime pull suppliers together like this, at pace, with genuine urgency, and share information the way things were done today."
The big picture: Leidos brings decades of experience designing and integrating missile systems, launchers and precision strike technology for the
About Leidos
Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with approximately 50,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately
Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026, and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.
Media contact:
Philip Carder
(571) 926-6698
Philip.Carder@leidos.com
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SOURCE Leidos Holdings, Inc.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
When does Leidos expect LCCM deliveries and full-rate production?
Leidos expects the first LCCM deliveries in 2027 for test and evaluation, with full-rate production anticipated in 2028 and 2029.
What is the status of Leidos AGM-190A Havoc Spear deliveries?
Initial AGM-190A Havoc Spear deliveries to Air Force Special Operations Command are underway. A separate summer 2026 contract award from U.S. Special Operations Command covers 45 missiles, with deliveries under that award expected to begin in fall 2027.