L3Harris Technologies showcased its Advanced Manufacturing Facility-South (AMF-South) to state and local leaders and customers in Huntsville, Alabama, on Monday. The solid rocket motor production facility spans 379,000 square feet — an area larger than six football fields — and received more than $20 million in renovations. AMF-South manufactures inert solid rocket motor components including nozzles, exit cones, aft closures, and cases, and currently supports the Standard Missile, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, and Javelin programs.
What it means
AMF-South adds production capacity for inert solid rocket motor components using hydraulic presses, autoclaves, tape-wrap systems, and composite machining equipment. The facility complements L3Harris’s existing Advanced Manufacturing Facility-North in Huntsville, which is 136,000 square feet and opened in 2019. L3Harris said the facility is designed to support surging production demands and emerging missile defense needs, and the company plans to extend AMF-South to additional defense programs beyond its current three. “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.
The expansion has already created approximately 40 jobs in the Huntsville area, and L3Harris said it expects to add more than 100 additional jobs over the next few years. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said “L3Harris’ continued growth in Huntsville is a testament to Alabama’s leadership in defense and aerospace innovation.” Alabama’s economic development plan, “Catalyst,” identifies the defense industry as a primary industrial pillar; the plan was spearheaded by Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
Key facts
- Facility: Advanced Manufacturing Facility-South (AMF-South), Huntsville, Alabama
- Size: 379,000 square feet
- Renovation investment: more than $20 million (according to the company)
- Products: inert solid rocket motor components — nozzles, exit cones, aft closures, cases
- Programs currently supported: Standard Missile, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System, Javelin
- Jobs created to date: approximately 40 in the Huntsville area (according to the company)
- Additional jobs expected: more than 100 over the next few years (according to the company)
- Companion facility: Advanced Manufacturing Facility-North, Huntsville, 136,000 square feet, opened 2019
Source: L3Harris Technologies news release (madeinalabama.com)