L3Harris Expanding Los Angeles Site to Increase Capacity for Precision Liquid Propulsion
For over 70 years, L3Harris has maintained its Canoga Park site in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles as a cornerstone of liquid propulsion design, development, and manufacturing—critical functions that support both defense and space initiatives. This summer, the company announced a substantial investment exceeding $100 million for a site expansion that will add nearly 35,000 square feet dedicated to manufacturing and assembly. This move aims to boost production capabilities for a range of important defense and aerospace programs.
“L3Harris is investing across our sites to increase our production capacity and ensure we grow at a rapid pace to meet evolving mission demands,” stated Scott Alexander, President of Propulsion Systems, Missile Solutions at L3Harris. “Our recent expansion in California reinforces our commitment to enhancing liquid propulsion production for our Department of War and NASA customers.”
This expansion represents the largest growth at the site in more than a decade, positioning the company to effectively respond to the increasing demand for enhanced production capacity. The new facilities will be instrumental in fulfilling a recent framework agreement aimed at quadrupling Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) propulsion production, alongside crucial projects such as the RS-25 engines powering NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Attitude Control System (ACS) for the Missile Defense Agency’s Next Generation Interceptor (NGI).
The RS-25 engines, known for their flight-proven performance, successfully powered the SLS rocket during the historic Artemis II mission. Meanwhile, the Liquid Divert and Attitude Control System ensures THAAD’s kinetic kill vehicle remains accurately on target during the critical final stages of an intercept.
“Our Canoga Park site is an industry leader in developing liquid propulsion systems, and this expansion enables our team to continue modernizing the production of these capabilities for the future,” commented Mark Farley, Vice President of Operations and Program Excellence at L3Harris. “We’re strengthening our ability to deliver high-precision liquid propulsion capabilities at the speed and scale our customers require, ensuring we meet the nation’s most urgent needs.”
Modernizing Operations
The Canoga Park facility employs a mixed-model approach, allowing for versatile use of equipment and process areas to support various programs. This expansion will significantly enhance production capacity, not only by increasing square footage but also through the introduction of modern equipment, advanced automation, and improved capabilities. Among the additions are nine new turn mills and two 5-axis mills, along with further equipment upgrades aimed at boosting manufacturing efficiency.
Additionally, this expansion is set to create opportunities for workforce growth, fostering specialized skillsets and bolstering ongoing high-performance operations.
“We are gaining extraordinary momentum in liquid propulsion production which wouldn’t be possible without the teamwork and dedication of the entire Canoga Park team,” remarked Greg Burns, Director of Operations at L3Harris’ Canoga Park site. “I am proud of our development and commitment to innovation as we continue to deliver critical technologies for space and defense operations.”
Expanding Propulsion Capacity Across the Country
This initiative exemplifies L3Harris’s response to the Department of War’s demand for accelerated production of critical munitions. The company is investing heavily—billions of dollars—in the construction of approximately 60 facilities and the addition of over one million square feet of manufacturing space across its propulsion production sites located in Alabama, Arkansas, California, and Virginia.
Source: L3Harris (2026-10-08)
