Lockheed Martin and U.S. Department of War Sign Framework Agreement to Quadruple THAAD Interceptor Production Capacity

Rhea-AI Summary

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) signed a framework agreement with the U.S. Department of War to quadruple THAAD interceptor production from 96 to 400 interceptors per year, phased over the next seven years. The company will break ground on a new Munitions Acceleration Center in Camden, Arkansas, and expects an initial contract award tied to final FY2026 Congressional appropriations.

Lockheed Martin cites >$7 billion invested since 2017, including ~$2 billion for accelerating munitions, and plans multibillion-dollar investments over three years to expand and modernize 20+ facilities.

Positive

• THAAD production capacity to increase from 96 to 400 interceptors per year
• New Munitions Acceleration Center ground-breaking in Camden, Arkansas
• More than $7 billion invested since 2017, including ~$2 billion for munitions acceleration
• Planned multibillion-dollar investment over 3 years to expand and modernize 20+ facilities
• Deliveries of six critical munitions increased 220% since 2016, with an additional 245%+ planned

Negative

• Initial THAAD contract award is conditional on final FY2026 Congressional appropriations, creating funding uncertainty

News Market Reaction

+4.23%

14 alerts

+4.23% News Effect

+2.9% Peak in 2 hr 16 min

+$6.06B Valuation Impact

$149.41B Market Cap

0.2x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, LMT gained 4.23%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +2.9% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 14 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $6.06B to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $149.41B at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

THAAD annual capacity: from 96 to 400 interceptors per year THAAD ramp horizon: seven years Capacity investments: more than $7 billion +5 more

8 metrics

THAAD annual capacity from 96 to 400 interceptors per year Framework agreement with Department of War

THAAD ramp horizon seven years Planned increase from 96 to 400 interceptors annually

Capacity investments more than $7 billion Since President Trump’s first term for priority systems

Munitions investment approximately $2 billion Portion of $7B focused on accelerating munitions production

Facility footprint more than 340,000 square feet Dedicated U.S. operations space for THAAD

THAAD workforce more than 2,000 employees U.S. employees currently supporting THAAD program

Munitions delivery growth more than 220% increase Deliveries of six critical munitions since 2016

Planned further increase additional 245%+ increase Planned to support PAC-3 and THAAD deliveries

Market Reality Check

Price: $634.22 Vol: Volume 1,318,346 is below...

low vol

$634.22 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,318,346 is below the 20-day average 2,038,090 (relative volume 0.65x) ahead of this announcement. low

Technical Trading above the 200-day MA of 475.76 with price at 597.27, near the 52-week high 599.32 and well above the 52-week low 410.11.

Peers on Argus

LMT was up 0.39% pre-news while key peers were mixed: GD +1.39%, NOC +2.18%, but...

LMT was up 0.39% pre-news while key peers were mixed: GD +1.39%, NOC +2.18%, but BA -1.02%, HWM -1.62%, TDG -0.36%, pointing to stock-specific drivers rather than a broad sector rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 21 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 21	Aircraft export sale	Positive	+1.8%	Mexico’s first C-130J-30 purchase, expanding international C-130J fleet.
Jan 12	Facility visit & pact	Positive	+1.3%	Secretary of War visit and framework agreement to accelerate PAC-3 MSE.
Jan 07	F-35 record deliveries	Positive	-4.8%	Record 191 F-35 deliveries and $24B Lots 18–19 contract announcement.
Jan 06	PAC-3 pact signed	Positive	+2.0%	Seven-year framework to lift PAC-3 MSE output from ~600 to 2,000 units.
Jan 05	Earnings webcast notice	Neutral	+2.9%	Announcement of Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings webcast schedule.

Pattern Detected

Recent operational and defense-contract news skew positive, with most such announcements followed by single-day gains, though one large contract update saw a decline.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, LMT has reported multiple defense and production milestones. On Jan 21, 2026, it announced Mexico’s first C-130J-30 purchase, which coincided with a 1.77% gain. Earlier in January, record F-35 deliveries and a major Lots 18–19 contract for up to 296 F-35s for $24 billion saw a -4.82% move. A seven-year PAC-3 MSE framework agreement on Jan 6 aligned with a 2.05% rise. Today’s THAAD framework news continues this theme of scaling high-priority defense production.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a major expansion of LMT’s missile-defense capacity, with THAAD interce...

Analysis

This announcement highlights a major expansion of LMT’s missile-defense capacity, with THAAD interceptor output planned to rise from 96 to 400 units annually over seven years and a new Munitions Acceleration Center in Arkansas. It builds on a prior PAC-3 MSE framework and more than $7 billion invested in priority systems, including $2 billion for munitions. Recent news flows show a consistent focus on scaling production and long-term defense contracts, so tracking funding in final FY2026 appropriations and execution milestones will be important.

Key Terms

terminal high altitude area defense, thaad, pac-3 mse

3 terms

terminal high altitude area defense technical

"to quadruple the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors"

Terminal high altitude area defense (THAAD) is a ground-based missile-defense system that detects, tracks and destroys short- and medium-range ballistic missiles as they fall back toward their targets, using radar and fast interceptors to neutralize threats high above the ground. Investors pay attention to THAAD because government purchases, deployments and related maintenance drive revenue for defense contractors, affect supply chains and signal shifts in geopolitical risk — like a city building a flood wall that creates business for construction and materials firms.

thaad technical

"to quadruple the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors"

THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) is a U.S. missile-defense system designed to detect, track and destroy short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their final descent. For investors, THAAD matters because it drives government defense spending, contract awards and export decisions—like a big appliance order that boosts the revenue and stock prospects of companies that design, manufacture or service the system, while geopolitical demand or deployment choices can change those companies’ sales outlook quickly.

pac-3 mse technical

"agreement signed between the parties earlier this month to accelerate production of PAC-3ae Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors"

PAC-3 MSE (Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement) is an upgraded interceptor missile used in air and missile defense systems to shoot down incoming threats like short-range ballistic and cruise missiles; it offers greater range, speed and accuracy than earlier versions. For investors, production, test results and government orders for PAC-3 MSEs are important signals because they can drive revenue for defense contractors, affect long-term contract pipelines and reflect shifting defense budgets or geopolitical demand — like buying a higher-performance safety feature that creates new sales opportunities for manufacturers.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Company also to break ground on new Munitions Acceleration Center in Arkansas

CAMDEN, Ark., Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) signed a framework agreement with the Department of War (DoW) to quadruple the production of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptors, from 96 to 400 interceptors per year. This announcement builds on the first-of-its-kind agreement signed between the parties earlier this month to accelerate production of PAC-3® Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors.

Also in support of its production ramp activities, Lockheed Martin will break ground today on a new Munitions Acceleration Center in Camden, Ark. This world-class facility will prepare the workforce of the future to build THAAD, PAC-3 and other capabilities using advanced manufacturing, robotics and digital technologies. 

THE BIG PICTURE

The continued partnership between the DoW and Lockheed Martin will increase production of THAAD interceptors from its current 96 per year over the next seven years. Lockheed Martin will work with the U.S. government toward an initial contract award on the THAAD framework agreement, expected in the final fiscal year 2026 Congressional appropriations and other sources of funding.

ADDITIONAL CONTEXT

• Multibillion-Dollar Investment: Lockheed Martin has invested more than $7 billion since President Donald Trump's first term to expand capacity for priority systems, including approximately $2 billion dedicated to accelerating munitions production. Lockheed Martin is planning a multibillion-dollar investment over the next three years to expand production and build and modernize more than 20 facilities in Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Massachusetts and Texas. This includes upgrading existing facilities and incorporating advanced manufacturing techniques, production lines, tooling and plant layouts to meet urgent production demand.
  
  
• Timeline: The THAAD framework agreement is the second signed between Lockheed Martin and the DoW, with the first of its kind for the entire industry signed earlier this month for PAC-3 MSE interceptors.
  
  
• Manufacturing Details: Lockheed Martin has more than 340,000 square feet of dedicated operations space in the U.S. for THAAD, with more than 2,000 U.S. employees supporting the program currently.
  
  
• American Job Growth: Lockheed Martin is now creating tens of thousands of high-quality American jobs across manufacturing, engineering and skilled trades to meet rising production demands.
  
  
• 10 Years of Increased Deliveries: Since 2016, Lockheed Martin has increased deliveries of six critical munitions by more than 220% and plans an additional 245%+ increase to support delivery of PAC-3 and THAAD capability. This has resulted in manufacturing jobs growth of more than 60% since President Trump's first term, with additional growth of ~50% projected by 2030 to sustain higher production rates.

EXPERT PERSPECTIVES 

"We are committed to further building on the Department of War's vision for advancing acquisition reform with additional framework agreements for the critical munitions needed by the U.S. military and our allies. Today's agreement to quadruple THAAD production means we will have more interceptors available than ever before to deter our adversaries," said Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO Jim Taiclet.

About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.

 

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin

FAQ

What does Lockheed Martin's January 29, 2026 THAAD framework for LMT specify about production capacity?

It commits to quadrupling THAAD output to 400 interceptors per year from 96. According to the company, the ramp to 400 per year will occur over the next seven years and supports urgent munitions demand.

When will Lockheed Martin (LMT) receive the initial contract award for the THAAD framework agreement?

The initial contract award is expected with final FY2026 Congressional appropriations. According to the company, award timing depends on the appropriations process and other funding sources.

What investment and facility plans did Lockheed Martin announce alongside the LMT THAAD agreement?

Lockheed Martin plans multibillion-dollar investments over three years to expand and modernize 20+ facilities. According to the company, upgrades will include advanced manufacturing, robotics, and digital technologies.

How many jobs and how much existing capacity does Lockheed Martin cite for THAAD production in the LMT announcement?

The company cites >b>2,000 U.S. employees supporting THAAD and >b>340,000 sq ft of operations space. According to the company, expansion will create tens of thousands of additional manufacturing and engineering jobs.

How did Lockheed Martin characterize past munitions delivery growth in the January 29, 2026 announcement for LMT?

Lockheed Martin said deliveries of six critical munitions rose 220% since 2016 and it plans an additional 245%+ increase to support PAC-3 and THAAD. According to the company, this reflects sustained capacity expansion.