Huntsville will play a central role in Leidos’ plans to ramp up production of thousands of long-range cruise missiles for the U.S. military.
The defense technology company announced Monday that Huntsville and McEwen, Tennessee, will serve as the primary production locations for two cruise missile programs as it expands manufacturing capacity and coordinates suppliers across 14 states.
The effort supports a May 13 framework agreement between Leidos and the Department of War for an initial 3,000 Low-Cost Containerized Missiles (LCCM), along with production of the AGM-190A Havoc Spear cruise missile.
“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.”
Leidos brought together key missile-component suppliers Sept. 26 at its Reston, Virginia, headquarters to coordinate manufacturing capacity, production requirements, timelines and delivery schedules.
The company said the effort is intended to strengthen the nation’s missile industrial base and accelerate production of affordable, long-range weapons.
Under the LCCM program, the first missiles are expected to be delivered in 2027 for testing and evaluation, with full-rate production anticipated in 2028 and 2029.
Meanwhile, Leidos has begun initial deliveries of its Havoc Spear missile to Air Force Special Operations Command.
The company also received a contract from U.S. Special Operations Command this summer for 45 additional Havoc Spear missiles, with deliveries under that award expected to begin in fall 2027.
Leidos did not disclose how missile production will be divided between its Huntsville and Tennessee operations or whether the expansion will create additional jobs. Financial details of the 3,000-missile framework agreement were also not provided.
Headquartered in Reston, Leidos employs approximately 50,000 people worldwide and reported $17.2 billion in annual revenue for the fiscal year ending Jan. 2, 2026.
The company develops missile systems, launchers and precision-strike technologies for the U.S. military, including air and missile defense systems and hypersonic strike capabilities.
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