HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — L3Harris Technologies hosted local and state leaders and customers in Alabama’s “Rocket City” on Monday to showcase the company’s newest Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) production facility, known as Advanced Manufacturing Facility-South (AMF-South).
The site, the size of more than six football fields, is designed and equipped to support surging production demands and emerging missile defense needs.
“Solid rocket motors remain essential to the vast majority of critical defense programs that protect our communities, military and allies,” said Ken Bedingfield, President of the Aerojet Rocketdyne unit of L3Harris.
“Our growth in Huntsville represents another significant investment we are making to boost production capacity of critical components, and we’re proud that they are being made in Alabama.”
In an announcement, the company said AMF-South features 379,000 square feet of space and specializes in manufacturing inert SRM components like nozzles, exit cones, aft closures and cases.
Melbourne, Florida-based L3Harris invested more than $20 million in renovations to support the facility, which is designed to be scalable, efficient and highly flexible.
AMF-South features equipment like hydraulic presses, autoclaves, tape-wrap systems and composite machining that will help deliver high-quality inert components faster and with greater precision.
AMF-South is currently supporting defense programs such as the Standard Missile, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and Javelin, with plans to support additional programs. Related: Raytheon expanding Alabama missile factory.
L3Harris said expansion efforts have already resulted in approximately 40 new jobs for the Huntsville area, and the company expects to create more than 100 additional jobs to support operations at the site over the next few years.
“L3Harris’ continued growth in Huntsville is a testament to Alabama’s leadership in defense and aerospace innovation,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “The opening of this advanced manufacturing facility strengthens our state’s role in supporting critical national security programs and brings high-quality jobs to North Alabama.
“I commend L3Harris for its commitment to investing in our workforce and fueling the next chapter of growth in the ‘Rocket City,’” she added.
Alabama’s new economic development strategic plan, “Catalyst,” identified the defense industry as a primary industrial pillar ripe for growth. The plan’s development was spearheaded by Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
Local impact
L3Harris’ expanded AMF-South facility complements the existing 136,000-square-foot Advanced Manufacturing Facility – North in Huntsville, which opened in 2019.
“Huntsville’s dynamic business climate is centered on workforce and technology, and this L3Harris state-of-the-art Advanced Manufacturing Facility is at the intersection of those priorities,” Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle said.
“With this new facility, L3Harris will continue its commitment to innovation and excellence by developing the latest technologies in inert manufacturing for solid rocket motors to support critical defense programs designed to protect our nation,” he added.
