Stocks of Patriot missiles and other missile intercepters have declined rapidly since the launch of the U..S.-Israeli war with Iran. Now Lockheed Martin—whose Missiles and Fire Control headquarters is located just west of Dallas in Grand Prairie—has secured a $4.7 billion contract to continue “critical accelerated production” of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE), an upgraded variant of the interceptor.

The contract enables Lockheed to advance production acceleration and deliver “record numbers” of the combat-proven interceptors for American and allied forces this year, the company said.

The contract follows a framework agreement Lockheed signed in January with the Department of Defense to ramp up PAC-3 MSE production as part of the administration’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy. Lockheed calls the move “a decisive step that gives our warfighters an unmatched defensive shield.”

Lockheed said “the world’s undisputed advanced air defense missile” has been proven in operations including Operation Epic Fury—which is currently in a tense pause amid a two-week cease fire, despite unsuccessful peace talks in Pakistan and President Trump’s imposition today of a blockade of ships leaving Iranian ports in the Hormuz Strait, as well as any ships that have paid Iran a “ransom” for safe passage through the strait.

]Today’s announcement adds government funding to what industry has already invested to maintain strong munitions stockpiles, ensuring America and its allies continue to keep adversaries at bay.

Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said his company is “answering the nation’s call with urgency and partnering with the [Department of War] to accelerate PAC-3 MSE production faster than ever before.”

“Our investments in our facilities, workforce, and supply chain ensure we can deliver at scale and with speed,” Cahill added in a statement. “With the right tools, proven processes, and skilled employees in place, we’re positioned to deliver a record number of munitions in support of the warfighter and our allies.”

$7B investment since Trump’s first term

Lockheed said it has invested more than $7 billion since President Trump’s first term to expand capacity for priority systems, including around $2 billion dedicated to accelerating munitions production.

Two weeks ago, Lockheed announced the opening of its Rapid Fielding Center within its campus in Grand Prairie, with a goal of streamlining the end-to-end development, testing, and prototype production of next-generation systems and solutions for U.S. government customers.

In late March, Lockheed announced that its Missiles and Fire Control division is quadrupling its production of Precision Strike Missiles that recently had their combat debut during the war with Iran.

And in January, Lockheed broke ground on its Munitions Acceleration Center in Camden, Arkansas, a facility that will “prepare the workforce of the future” while accelerating the production of critical missiles, including GMLRS, PAC-3 MSE, and THAAD, using “advanced manufacturing and robotics.”

Lockheed said it continues to expand its workforce, creating “tens of thousands of high-quality American jobs” across manufacturing, engineering, and skilled trades. These investments ensure America and its allies have the proven capabilities needed to protect people, infrastructure, and freedom around the globe, the company added.

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