America Can’t Afford to Slow Its Defense Buildup
By Ken Bedingfield, President, Missile Solutions
The urgency for the United States to significantly enhance its production capabilities for essential munitions has surfaced as a pivotal issue among leaders in Washington. High-ranking administration officials and congressional representatives from both parties have acknowledged a critical reality: America’s ability to deter and defeat adversaries hinges not solely on strategic plans and innovative technologies, but also on our capacity to deliver the necessary capabilities for our warfighters swiftly and at scale.
Discussions surrounding the defense industrial base often portray it as the primary barrier to expedited missile production. Indeed, revitalizing industrial capacity cannot be accomplished instantly—particularly after years of fluctuating demand that hindered industry investment. The missile supply chain remains specialized, heavily regulated, and capital-intensive.
Nonetheless, a key aspect of the narrative is often overlooked: progress is being made within the defense industrial base.
Leading contractors and suppliers are pouring investments into new facilities, workforce growth, and securing long-lead materials. For instance, L3Harris is undertaking significant modernization of production lines through automation, robotics, and additive manufacturing innovations. This upgrade is resulting in increased capacity, heightened output, and the emergence of competitive dynamics. A supplier base that previously struggled with inconsistent demand and extended cycles is evolving to become faster, stronger, and more resilient.
As the foremost provider of solid rocket motors for U.S. and allied munitions, L3Harris is dedicated to supporting warfighters and mission requirements. Differentiating from traditional government contractors, the company is approaching investment as a commercial enterprise by proactively building capacity to align with expected demand. L3Harris is allocating billions to develop approximately 60 facilities and expand over 1 million square feet of production and support areas throughout its propulsion sites in Alabama, Arkansas, California, and Virginia. These strategic investments will empower the company to double, triple, or in some cases, more than quadruple the production rates of solid rocket motors for various critical munitions programs.
Read Full Article in ‘Defense One’
Source: L3Harris (2026-10-13)
