L3Harris Technologies has announced a more than $1 billion expansion of solid rocket motor production in Orange County, Virginia, through the new Virginia Advanced Propulsion Facilities (VAPF). The project will more than double manufacturing space and create over 350 jobs. L3Harris writes:

L3Harris’ site in Virginia hosts the company’s Center of Excellence for Propellant Research and Small to Medium-sized Solid Rocket Motor Production. The expansion includes a 12,000 square foot, state-of-the-art solid rocket motor cast and assembly facility, as well as a control room, facilities to support mixing and grinding operations and upgrades to the site’s motor testing capabilities. The consolidated cast and assembly building will centralize production of a critical program under one roof, reducing the distance motors travel during manufacturing by 90%. […]

The expansion strengthens production capacity for critical national defense programs by adding new facilities for mixing, casting, and assembly of solid rocket motors. It builds on L3Harris’ broader investments across multiple US sites aimed at significantly increasing missile propulsion production rates.

L3Harris is also modernizing and expanding its solid rocket motor production in two other states. The company is constructing new solid rocket motor facilities in Camden, Arkansas, and is transitioning production of inert components for critical missile systems to align with the sites’ core competencies in Huntsville, Alabama. The company is already ramping up production due to digital process improvements as well as new tooling and equipment.